Bohol Day Tour Part 1: Chocolate Hills & the Philippine Tarsier

The land of Bohol is so blessed with endemic species like Tarsier and natural landscape of the iconic Chocolate Hills. Here is the list of tourist spots you can have in making your day tour travel plan. Other travel operators may call day tour as countryside tour.

Bohol, The Home of The Chocolate Hills and the Tarsiers

Itinerary (Nov 8, 2013)

8:20 am- ETD in Momo Beach Escape

1.       Dauis Church

2.       Chocolate Hills Adventure Park

3.       Butterfly Conservation Center

4.       Manmade Forest of Bilar

5.       Tarsier Conservation Area

6.       Loboc Church

7.       Bohol Python & Wildlife Park

8.       Baclayon Church

9.       Pasalubong Center

1.       Bohol Bee Farm

7:00 pm- ETA in Momo Beach Escape

Note: These sites were visited in order. However, Hanging Bridge, Loboc River Cruise, and Blood Compact Monument were supposed to be in this tour, but they were closed for renovation and further inspection of the damage brought by the recent earthquake.

A lot of my friends who've been there suggested me that I should rent a van for our day tour in Bohol. P2200 for a van rental was not bad at all for 8 travellers. We saved a lot since other admission fees cost less than a hundred pesos and the rest of the sightseeing were free of charge. Imagine we just paid P475 per person for this tour including admission fees compared to a regular tour package rate ranging from P1500 to P2500 per head.

Expense Summary

Van rental per person - P275

Chocolate Hills admission fee- P60

Butterfly Conservation Center - P40

Tarsier Conservation Area- P50

Bohol Python & Wildlife Park- P50

Day Tour Total Expenses: P475
Note: If Loboc River cruise with buffet lunch is included, you have to add up P450 per pax (P350 river cruise and lunch + P100 for maintenance, security charges)

Van Rental Contact Information
Rogelito Cupon
Cellphone #: 
(63) 917-967-8337 (Globe)
(63) 917-306-2764 (Globe) 
(63) 919-991-1549 (Smart) 
(63) 933-439-4036 (Sun) 
  

Dauis Church

This18^th century church is nestled along Panglao Road of the town of Dauis. It was built by Spanish missionaries in 1697 and was dedicated to the Our Lady of the Assumption. Due to its light materials, the church had gone through several renovations since it was created. Unfortunately, the church was not able to hold its structure from the great impact of earthquake recently.

The façade of the church had collapsed leaving several debris on the ground and crashed a small vehicle parked in front of the site.

The magnitude of the earthquake that had shaken some parts of Tagbilaran was apparently shown on this catastrophe

A small vehicle parked in front of the church didn't even survive

Several debris from the facade of the church were still on the ground unprotected

Chocolate Hills Adventure Park

These hills consist of approximately 1260 on a 50sqkm area. They are made of limestone covered with grass, but turns brown at the end of the dry season giving a spectacular view of chocolate kisses on this vast area of Bohol. Mostly, these dome-shaped hills vary in size from 20 t0 30 meters high.

Tranquility and calmness echoed to this relaxing landscape, where birds and flow of water can be heard on your way to the viewing deck

The driver mentioned that this adventure park was one of the newly-opened sites for viewing The Chocolate Hills after the earthquake devastated the famous viewing deck located also somewhere in Carmen. 

Our tour guide as he discusses each animal in these cages.

This park includes a short trail to a mini serpentarium before leading to the viewing deck. The serpentarium showcases a few types of snakes shown on the photo and reptiles and mammals. During this trail, a tour guide was provided that gave us a brief description of the site, and flaura and fauna found around the area.

A few kind of snakes are on display in this mini serpentarium

We were among the few tourists last November 8 who have persisted this tour despite the coming super typhoon Hayain, that would fall on land any moment that day. You could hear the wind blowing so hard and lightning was almost everywhere. Our excitement was at its peak and nothing could stop us and went on. But, at the back of our mind, landslide or being struck by the lightning were our greatest fear.

After climbing the hill all the way to the deck, it was still fascinating to see the hills even under overcast weather. But was even breath-taking on top of the viewing deck.

What a jaw-dropping view from the 2nd level of the deck

Never mind of the wind blowing from the top of the hill to get a glimpse of these marvelous hills

Tw0-level viewing deck on top of the hill

After staying for a few minutes and taking some photos, we decided to go down, but this time I had to take off my slippers to avoid accident going down the hill. 

Being bare-foot was not a bad choice at all. I was able to traverse the area without having any accident

The park provided an umbrella for each tourist. It had also some souvenir shops and a restaurant at the waiting area.

More pictures at the waiting area

My other travel buddies who didn't care about the weather just to capture nice photos

What I dislike about this site was when they charged my parents for the admission even though they never pursued to go up to the viewing deck and stayed in the waiting area. The staff said that it was the government’s order to charge everyone even if they will just stay at the park. They didn’t accept senior citizen discount as well.

Admission Fee

Adults:  P60

Note: No senior citizen discount

Bohol Habitat Conservation Center

Bohol Habitat Conservation Center aims to protect and breed several species of butterflies and some local plants. The butterfly by-products are created from A-1 hand bred butterflies which are approved by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR). The proceeds support this conservation project including habitat development, breeding of rare butterflies, and host plant research.

The center gathers the visitors into a group with one tour guide. The guide usually discusses the vital role of the conservation center, how those butterflies are formed and bred, its habitat and morphology (the form or structure of specie), and its importance to the ecological equilibrium (balance). 

The metamorphosis up-close and personal

Due to the consistent flock of tourists in the center, these tour guides are well-rehearsed or well-adopted to a few things that tourist never know. Our tour guide, Joebert, taught us some camera tricks with butterflies on display to create good shots using these optical illusions. 

 The guide will teach you on how to properly strike a pose

Colorful endemic plants scattered at the garden

For instance, he let us jump behind a specimen of butterfly giving an affect that as if we were flying. These were among the usual scenes in the center which my parents were thrilled about.

Admission Fee

Adults:  P40

Children (4-10 y/o) P10

After Hours Fee- P50

(Special rate for school groups)

Note: No senior citizen discount

Contact Information

Location: Poblacion, Bilar, Bohol

Telephone #:  (038) 535-9400

Email: simplybutterflies@gmail.com

Website: www.simplybutterfliesproject.com

Manmade Forest of Bilar

It is hard to believe that this 3000-hectare forest in Bilar is manmade. It is one of the towns included the reforestation project in the province of Bohol. Seventy percent of the forest consists of mahogany trees while the remaining are different fruit-bearing trees. The two-kilometer stretch is a road-trip worth-seeing and taking some photos. Vehicles pass by this site on their way to Loboc River Cruise to Chocolate Hills. 

Attraction: Free

Tarsier Conservation Area

The Philippine Tarsier or Tarsius Syrichta in scientific name is one of the tiniest primates in the world. Its size is not bigger than a human hand. They are nocturnal (active mainly during the night) and insect-eater. Most people may have thought that they are in the family of monkeys, well in fact, they are closely related to lemurs. They have grey fur, a long tail, and a body length of approximately 115-150 mm, and usually weigh from 115-140 grams. Mostly, the males are larger than females. Its head is similar to an owl that allows it to move to 180-degree arc. In addition, they live around the tree trunks using their claws and intertwining their tails.

Tarsiers can jump 40 times more than its own weight

If may not be protected, the Philippine tarsier can be endangered in the near future.

Tarsier Conservation Area is located in Loboc, Bohol. It has a six-hectare woodland, protecting the Philippine tarsiers in captivity.

This site provides a tour guide towards the location where some tarisers are staying. They provide an umbrella free of charge during the inclement weather.

A good site for taking your photos

At the end of this quick tour, you may purchase some souvenir items here or is a few pasalubong stores outside the area, near the parking lot.

 Souvenir shop of Tarsier Conservation Area

A few souvenir shops nearby the parking lot

Cha and Clad as they enjoy the perfect thirst-quencher, fresh Coconut juice after a stroll in the area

Do's & dont's during the tour:

- People are advised not to make unnecessary noise to avoid disturbing the tarsiers during the day. Remember they are nocturnal.

- Taking photos with your flash on is prohibited.

- Touching and feeding these animals are not allowed.

Admission Fee:

Adult- P50

Senior Citizen: P40 (with ID)

Children: free

Location:

Upper Bonbon, Loboc Bohol 6316


Next Topic:
Bohol Day Tour Part 2: Heritage Churches & Prony, the python

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Blogger's Note

Please be informed that details are subject to change at any time, particularly the price, location, and contact numbers. I, therefore advise that you visit their website or email ahead for confirmation when making your itinerary. The blogger cannot be held responsible for the experiences of the readers while travelling.