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Park · Puerto Ayora, Galápagos
Reserva El Chato
Reserve in the highlands of Santa Cruz where giant tortoises roam freely among pastures, lagoons and scalesia woodlands, with lava tunnels that can be walked through.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Reserva El Chato
The Reserva El Chato is in the highlands of southern Santa Cruz, near the settlement of Santa Rosa, about 20 km from Puerto Ayora. It is an area of pastures, lagoons and humid scalesia woodlands — a tree found only in the Galápagos — where Santa Cruz's giant tortoises live in the wild. They move up and down the island depending on the season, and the highlands tend to concentrate them in the dry season.
The trails pass by tortoises grazing, bathing in lagoon mud or resting under trees, some over a century old. It is also common to see finches, flycatchers and herons. On farms and reserves in the area, such as El Chato, visits are usually done with a guide or along the marked trail, keeping a distance from the animals.
In the same area are the lava tunnels, formed when surface lava cooled and hardened while the interior lava continued flowing. Some sections are hundreds of meters long, with lighting and stairs. Nearby, on the road to Baltra, are Los Gemelos, two sinkhole craters surrounded by scalesias.
The highlands are cooler and more humid than the coast, with frequent drizzle.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2 to 3 hours, including the lava tunnels.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, when the tortoises are more active. From June to November, in the dry season, the tortoises tend to be more in the highlands.
How to get there
It's about 20 km from Puerto Ayora, on the road to Santa Rosa. Go by taxi — they usually wait — or with a tour; it can also be combined with Los Gemelos on the way to the airport.
Tip
Bring a light jacket and closed shoes: the highlands are humid and the trail can be muddy. Keep your distance from the tortoises and do not stand in front of them.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Reserva El Chato
Do the tortoises at El Chato live in the wild?
Yes, they live freely and move between the highlands and the coast depending on the season.
What are lava tunnels?
Tubes formed when the surface lava cooled while the interior lava continued to flow. Some can be walked through.
Is it far from Puerto Ayora?
About 20 km, a 30-minute taxi ride.