El Chato Reserve Tour
Giant tortoises roaming free
The experience
Thirty minutes from Puerto Ayora, the Santa Cruz highlands hide the best place in the archipelago to see giant tortoises in the wild: the El Chato Reserve. Here the tortoises move freely between grassland, ponds and scalesia forest.
The visit includes exploring lava tunnels hundreds of metres long formed by ancient eruptions, and a stop at Los Gemelos, two enormous collapse craters ringed by cloud forest and endemic birds.
Tortoises in the wild
This is not a zoo: the tortoises come and go freely across the reserve. Seeing them up close is all but guaranteed for most of the year.
Lava tunnels
Walk inside lit volcanic tubes up to 400 metres long.
Los Gemelos
Two twin collapse craters surrounded by scalesia forest, home to the vermilion flycatcher and Darwin's finches.
How is the day spent?
A day on this tour
Indicative itinerary — it may change with the tide, the weather and National Park rules.
Departure for the highlands
Land transfer (±30 min) from Puerto Ayora up into the Santa Cruz highlands.
Los Gemelos
Stop at the twin craters and a short walk through the scalesia forest.
El Chato Reserve
Guided walk among free-roaming giant tortoises; rubber boots available at the ranch.
Lava tunnels
Descent into a lit lava tunnel.
Back to Puerto Ayora
Transfer back to town.
What's included?
- Return land transport
- Certified guide (Spanish/English)
- Entry to the reserve and the lava tunnels
- Rubber boots at the ranch
Not included
- Drinks and snacks
- Tips (optional)
What to pack
- Comfortable clothes and a light jacket (the highlands are cool)
- Closed-toe shoes
- Insect repellent
- Camera
- Reusable water bottle
Keep exploring
