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Santa Cruz

South America

Ecuador

El Chato Ranch - Giant Tortoise Reserve is a captivating wildlife sanctuary located in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Ecuador. This unique park offers visitors an unforgettable experience to observe the majestic giant tortoises in their natural habitat. As one of the top attractions in the Galápagos Islands, El Chato Ranch is perfect for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.

Situated at General Rodriguez Lara 629, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, this reserve is easily accessible from the main town. Visitors often combine their trip to El Chato Ranch with stops at nearby attractions such as Los Gemelos, the famous sinkholes that showcase the volcanic origins of the islands. The ranch is a short taxi ride from Puerto Ayora, making it a convenient stop for those exploring the Galápagos.

El Chato Ranch offers a range of activities and amenities that enhance the visitor experience. Highlights include:

Guided tours led by knowledgeable local guides who provide insights into the ecology and history of the giant tortoises.

Opportunities to witness giant tortoises grazing and interacting in their natural environment.

Exploration of fascinating lava tunnels that reveal the geological history of the Galápagos Islands.

Rubber boots provided for visitors to navigate the muddy paths comfortably.

To make the most of your visit, it is recommended to book a guided tour in advance. The entrance fee typically includes the cost of the guide, ensuring a rich and informative experience. Visitors can also enjoy complimentary coffee and water during their tour, adding to the overall enjoyment of the day.

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Located in the highlands of Santa Cruz, this ranch offers a memorable experience for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

To explore the ranch, you’ll need to be accompanied by a local guide, which adds great value to the visit. The guide provides insights into the history of the giant tortoises, their habitat, and their crucial role in the Galápagos ecosystem.

One of the highlights of the ranch is witnessing numerous giant tortoises feeding on the grass cultivated by locals to support their natural diet. Seeing these majestic creatures up close in their natural environment is a humbling experience.

The walking paths at the ranch can be quite muddy, especially after rain, but the staff ensures visitors are well prepared by providing rubber boots. This thoughtful touch makes the trek more enjoyable and hassle free.

In addition to the tortoises, El Chato 2 features three lava tunnels formed thousands of years ago. These geological formations are a striking reminder of the islands’ volcanic origins and offer a glimpse into their fascinating natural history.

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places/ChIJj5cGsWRdqpoRgN_zrXkVNt0/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNQc3FueFBREAE

It was a beautiful experience watching these giant tortoises grazing with wildlife close up. Our guides taught us all we need to know about tortoise. We also explored the Lava tunnels in the ranch which was fascinating! I would definitely recommend going here!

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places/ChIJj5cGsWRdqpoRgN_zrXkVNt0/reviews/ChZDSUhNMG9nS0VJQ0FnSUNfcEtIR2FREAE

It's a nice place that is one of the must sees, I'm leaving a lower rating because our tour guide was rushing us through the tour and didn't seem too interested. Entrance is 10$ which is basically for the guide since they do not manage the turtles here. Coffee and tea is included which is nice but imo it's too expensive for the experience. We rented some bikes for 10$ and put them on the back of the bus on the way here and biked back to our place afterward

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What a great way to observe the giant tortoises in the Galapagos!
We had heard it was quite the journey to get to El Chato Ranch, so my wife and I hired a taxi for about 4-5 hours from Puerto Ayora. It cost us around $40 USD. We made a stop at Los Gemelos (sink holes) before heading to the ranch. There is an option to take a bus from Puerto Ayora and then walk but we wouldn’t recommend this as the bus doesn’t run often and you’ll be walking for a while...probably not very fun in the rain.

Upon arriving at the ranch, we waited around 5-10 minutes for the next tour to start and were offered free coffee/water. You get a guided tour of the grounds and have the chance to witness the tortoises as they walk (slowly) around and hang out in the mud. The guides were very knowledgeable and answered all our questions!

There is also a small system of lava tubes in the ranch grounds that is part of the tour! All in all, a very cool experience which made it one of the highlights of our time in Santa Cruz island. Feel free to check out our other Galapagos highlights on instagram @halohaloadventures_

Highly recommend a visit to El Chato Ranch!

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Amazing to see so many wild tortoises just going about their daily grazing. We were there around 4-5 pm and many of the tortoises were bedding down in the mud for the night. We also ate lunch at the restaurant there and it was very good grilled local fish.

Explore El Chato Ranch: Giant Tortoise Reserve in Santa Cruz

A refuge for nature lovers, El Chato Ranch - Giant Tortoise Reserve invites travelers to immerse themselves in the stunning biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands. Tucked away in the lush landscape of Santa Cruz, this captivating sanctuary is a haven for the iconic giant tortoises that have become synonymous with these enchanting islands. Visitors can observe these colossal creatures as they graze on the abundant vegetation, bask under the warm Ecuadorian sun, and engage in their age-old rituals. The reserve also showcases the unique flora of the Galápagos, offering an invaluable glimpse into the ecosystem that has inspired many a naturalist, including the legendary Charles Darwin.

El Chato Ranch - Giant Tortoise Reserve

Explore El Chato Ranch in Santa Cruz, Ecuador, home to majestic giant tortoises. Experience this unique wildlife reserve—plan your visit today!

Explore El Chato Ranch: Giant Tortoise Reserve in Santa Cruz

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Visiting El Chato Ranch