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El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

A famous place to see Giant Tortoises in the wild

Information about El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

Biodiversity

Panorama

Accesibility

The inland areas of Santa Cruz provide fantastic opportunities to get close to wild Galápagos giant tortoises. These wonderful creatures can be seen roaming around in the agricultural fields, and also in the famous El Chato Tortoise Reserve, where the native vegetation is preserved.

The trail to the Reserve begins at Santa Rosa, about an hour's drive from Puerto Ayora, and during the dry season this is a haven for Giant Tortoises as they migrate from coastal to highland areas, and you can observe the natural behaviours of these truly wild animals.

There is a pond at El Chato that is often surrounded by tortoises, and sometimes even filled with them as they enjoy wallowing in the cool water. Surrounding the ponds are hundreds of acres of natural highland pasture and native Scalesia forest where you may encounter owls, Darwin’s finches, Vermilion Flycatchers, and Galápagos Rails.

For many Galapatours guests the highlight of their trip is following our expert guide into the ancient forest and then hearing heavy footsteps and crunching noises ahead, finally rounding a corner to see a truly wild Galápagos Giant tortoise doing what they have done for millennia before humans came to Galápagos.

Interesting facts about El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

See these gentle giants in their native habitat

Wonderful encounters with many bird species

Pictures of El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

Possible Activities in El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

hiking

Hiking

Highlights Close to El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

Animals in El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve

Our trips to El Chato Giant Tortoise Reserve


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