Filipina Travel Guide #20: Bohol Tour Packages |The Famous Chocolate Hills & Tarsier Monkey |Island Hopping Bohol Philippines

in #travel7 years ago (edited)

Preview: Chocolate Hills and the little monkey called “Tarsier” are located in Bohol the tourist spots of locals and foreigners together with the 5 other destinations.

lo37.jpg

After Boracay our next destination is Panglao Bohol to see the famous chocolate hills and Tarsier Monkey tour package.

We fly from Boracay to Manila then Manila to Tagbilaran Bohol. Bohol is close to Cebu so if your staying in Cebu you can take a ferry boat to Tagbilaran Island.

lo7 (2).jpg

lo8.jpg

Arriving to Bohol Tagbilaran:

There are dispatchers or taxi drivers will ask you for a ride with tricycle or a car. The fare depends on the location but from the Tagbilaran airport to Alona beach cost 300 pesos for tricycle and for a car is 600 pesos one way ride. Tricycle is okay because the road is good but try to negotiate for a better price, 300 pesos for 21 kilometers and 36 minutes is a good deal. Some of the drivers ask for a tourist price so it is good to negotiate.

We saw a construction site from the airplane that looks like an airport and we ask about it then we find out that this is an international airport. Bohol is getting more touristy than before specially if the international airport build completely in Panglao Island. So we recommend you go soon before it gets crowded.

lo9 (2).jpg

lo6 (2).jpg

Chocolate Hills & Tarsier Monkey Tour Package

The “Chocolate Hills Package” tour including the van is 500 per person for semi private group. Also, you can take a private car for 1500-2500 pesos for the day. You should negotiated with the driver for the best price. None of the entrance fees are not included with this price. The advantage of having a van is you meet new people and for me its nice to travel with a group. The advantage of a private car you don't need to wait the other companions before the van can head out to next destination, 'you are the boss' and you will finished the tour early than usual :)

Tarsier Monkey

First destination was the little monkey called Tarsier, we have 30 minutes to explore the place. Entrance fee at the right side window cost 60 pesos per person. The tarsier are very small and some of them are sleeping but when you see them closer they are cute. Be sure your camera doesn't have a flash in case the tour guide forget to inform you.

They also have a souvenirs shop before you head out. They have t-shirts, bracelet, wallets and many more. You can buy t-shirts for you to remember this place every time you wear it.

lo29.jpg

lo35.jpg

lo30 (2).jpg

lo31.jpg

lo32.jpg

lo34.jpg

Chocolate Hills

Second destination is the Chocolate Hills. Don't miss the chance to visit the chocolate hills if you went to Bohol, your friends will ask you “have you been to Bohol”, Yes “so you saw the chocolate hills”, its almost says like no one went to Bohol without visiting the Chocolate hills.

Walking the 214 steps up makes you feel sweating and its very hot but when you reach the top its totally worth it.

lo36.jpg

lo38.jpg

lo40.jpg

lo39.jpg

_DSC4607 (2).JPG

Man Made Forest

The Man Made Forest of Mahogany tree stands out because of the uniformity in height of the big trees, the spread of its branches, thickness and design of leaves. When you enter the forest, one will feel the abrupt change in temperature, especially during summer or hot season. It is hot outside the forested area, but once under the overhanging trees, we were refreshed by the cool breeze.

lo41.jpg

lo42 (2).jpg

lo43.jpg

Video of Funny Sisters acting like this :)

Bamboo Hanging Bridge

Hanging bridge is just couple minutes from man made forest. The entrance fee was 20 pesos per person.
The Hanging Bridge is a foot bridge composed of bamboos and hardened steels which was initially used by locals to cross the river going to the Barangay on the other side of the main road. The Hanging Bridge is about 25 meters above the river.
When the pictures of the bridge were on the internet, many locals and tourist decided to visit the place.

lo54.jpg

When I first step on the bamboo bridge I feel scared because I have fear of high. I can't resist not to hold the rope to balance myself. I get scared when someone walked too fast to make the bridge more wiggly and when someone tease you. I drop the ticket because I was afraid of falling when the bridge start to move. I'm holding my things carefully to avoid dropping them on the river. They have a souvenirs shop at the end of the first or entrance bridge.

lo46.jpg

lo47.jpg

To finished the entrance and exit bridge is an accomplish for me and to face my fear.
After this we ate a banana cue with my sister because we are hungry and its been a long time since we ate grilled banana.

lo44.jpg

Loboc River Lunch Cruise

Loboc river and hanging bridge are connected rivers few minutes ride. The ticketing office was very crowded. You can wait in line to get a ticket or you can give money to the guide and he will buy ticket for you.
The buffet lunch cruise cost 450 per person for about an hour and half tour. Our guide bought tickets for us. Then write your names on ship manifest before you head to the boat.
Each group should be on the same table with your companions from the van to make everything organized. The lunch buffet is good with chicken, pork, fruit, juice and other choices. You can eat as much as you like. Its very relaxing eating while watching the views and worth the price. They also have live band in the cruise, you can request a song. Some of our companions doesn't go on the River Cruise lunch its not mandatory you can join or not but I recommend it.
We saw some kids swimming on the river and some tourist on paddle boards.
Before you head back you can watch some cute kids dancing the native dance with cultural outfit in Philippines, you can give tip if you want. The cruise was amazing surrounded by green grass and trees.

lo66 (2).jpg

lo48.jpg

lo49.jpg

lo61.jpg

lo50.jpg

lo51.jpg

lo52.jpg

Zip Line

The Zip Line cost 350 pesos per person, a couple minutes from the River Cruise and Hanging Bridge.
To reach the zip line area you need to walk up the few steps on the right.
This is the second part that I face my fear, to shout is a way to relieve my fear and to enjoy the ride. They have two lines for two person but its not close enough to hold each other hands. The ride back across was one by one on a single line. There is a river under that makes the view even more beautiful with rocks at the same time you feel scared thinking you will fall and going to die.
Its longer than I thought, my hands was cold. I grabbed the leg of the attendant at the end when I was afraid I would not stop in time. It was my first time so I really enjoyed it, I wish to do it again.

lo53.jpg

lo63.jpg

lo62.jpg

lo65.jpg

Butterfly Garden

The entrance fee was 45 pesos per person but you can either choose to go inside if your interested or sit in the van like some people :P
Female butterfly has a huge stomach while the male has straight body only. When you enter the Bonsai Butterfly Garden you will see different kinds of butterfly with different colors. Some of them will land on your hair and hands. They are friendly and not afraid of humans.

lo55.jpg

lo57.jpg

lo58.jpg

Big Python and other Animals

The entrance fee was 45 pesos per person to see some animals like wildcats, goose, monkey, birds, turkey, snakes, and the big python. The animals were kept in cages and I felt sorry and sad for their treatment :(

lo59 (2).jpg

lo60.jpg

Bohol Island Hopping Tour

This island tour cost 400 pesos per person with 2 destinations, the Balicasag Island and Virgin Island. For private tour cost 1800 pesos.

We wake up in the morning to start the island hopping for dolphin watching because dolphin shows at 6AM in the morning. There's a lot of people awake and walking at 6AM for island hopping, sunrise is beautiful. Its low tide so people need to walked up to the boat, be careful you may step the sea urchins and star fish I would recommend to wear aqua shoes.

lo70.jpg

lo71.jpg

lo72.jpg

Dolphin Watching

First destination was the dolphin watching but its seems bad because there are 40 boats chasing the dolphins. This made it very hard on the dolphins and we never saw them close up. They were running from the boats chasing them.

Balicasag Island

After the dolphin fiasco our next destination was the Balicasag island.
Its low tide so you gonna walked in about 15 meters, its not too bad but its rocky and there's sea urchins, lots of star fish and we saw a sea turtle on the way in. Its pretty cool. There is a small boat that will send you to the beach if you need it. If you dont want to get wet or if you have trouble walking on the stones.

lo69 (2).jpg

lo75.jpg

There are a little cottages with some food to order for breakfast and instant coffee. You can also rent a snorkels for 100 pesos. The boat ride was extremely loud so I recommend to bring earplugs if you have them. You can also rent little boats to take you out to the reef so you can snorkel or you can swim out yourself.
The guide doesn't informed us about the things to do. So we sat there for a while until we figured out want everyone was doing. I think the two main choices are to snorkel and explore the island. The island is just beautiful, a bit sad because the island has become littered with random plastic and bottles of beer from all the visitors.

lo76.jpg

We decided to walked around the island instead of snorkeling to see some beautiful areas. Some parts of the island surrounded by rocks with a little bit of sand with a lot of broken shells and other parts has very white sand. There is also a resort if you want to stay for a night. We walked around the beach for about 30-45 mins it was nice. The island is small enough you can walk around the whole thing.

lo74.jpg

Virgin Island

Next destination is the Virgin Island, its basically a sandbar next to a resort. They have some sea food to grill and fresh coconut juice. Many sea urchins that some people eat and we saw many many star fish and empty shells. There are birds farther away from the boat we tried to get closer but they fly away. This beach is not good for swimming, you need to walked farther to have a deep water with lots of seaweed.

lo68 (2).jpg

lo78.jpg

It was raining on the way back that makes us cold. The tour finished during sunset.

lo73.jpg

Bohol Island Tour Rates:

Airport-Pier Transfer to:
Panglao for tricycle 400, car 600, van 800
City Hotels for car 200, van 300
City Tour 3 hrs for car 1000, van 1200
Note: in excess of hours additional 250/hour
Mag-aso Falls
Car 1800, van 2500
Panglao Island Tour
Tricycle for 1000, car 2000, van 2500
Chocolate Hills Tour
Tricycle 2000, car 3000 van 4000
Sagbayan Peak Tour
Car 3500, van 4500
Eat Danao
Car 4500, van 5000
Sea and Island tour/boat
Small boat 2500, Big boat 3000

lo1.jpg

Living in Alona Beach

Alona beach is different and smaller than Dumaluan beach but Alona is more touristy. The Alona area has many hotels and restaurants. This is the place where the boat leaves for island hopping.
The beach is not as nice as Dumaluan either, it is a bit dirty and the water was not as clear. Alona is a public beach for everyone except the Hennan beach resort. The sand is not as white as Dumaluan beach but they have a lot of choices for cheap accommodation compared to Dumaluan.
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 9.548555 lat 123.774033 long My Best Holiday Trip to Bohol d3scr)

Alona Beach
lo10 (2).jpg

lo12.jpg

lo20.jpg

lo3.jpg

lo4.jpg

lo21.jpg

lo22.jpg

lo23.jpg

lo13.jpg

lo14.jpg

Dumaluan Beach
lo11 (2).jpg

bol12.jpg

Some restaurants are open for breakfast but many are not. We found a very good restaurant that we went most of the time. The Buzzz Cafe is the best restaurant, good ratings, excellent food and good service. They have the best salad and we found out that they have farm called “Bohol Bee Farm'' and they make their own good dressing and different ice cream flavors.

lo5.jpg

lo17.jpg

lo19 (2).jpg

lo25 (2).jpg

lo26.jpg

lo27 (2).jpg

lo28.jpg

lo24 (2).jpg

Some random restaurants pictures :)

lo2 (2).jpg

lo15.jpg

lo16.jpg

That's all thank you for dropping by.
I hope this post helps you for your future travel plans.
Don't forget to;

UPVOTE

COMMENT

RESTEEM

FOLLOW me if you like my content

Your one click can change the life of someone :)

#ExploreSmarterNotHarder

Sort:  

Say thanks to @originalworks and that will help a little. I also did a little help with @minnowpond.

The @OriginalWorks bot has determined this post by @filipinalife to be original material and upvoted(1.5%) it!

ezgif.com-resize.gif

To call @OriginalWorks, simply reply to any post with @originalworks or !originalworks in your message!

Wow!Excellent photography.You are really creative photographer. Please stay with photography. how the beautiful natural view is! Very color full also. this see world good to traveler.

thank you so much I appreciate the feedback .. I'm still learning about travel writing and photography.. your comments gives me inspiration.. :)

Wow, this is an excellent travel post @filipinalife. You've put a lot of work into this and it really shows.

Yes I do ... I hope it helps for your future travel plans.. Thank you so much..

Some very beautiful pictures, but even more beautiful ladies. This was some adventure you two went on. Some of those places I have been thinking about going. Some I now have to check on to see about visiting.

Yes Philippines is a beautiful country and beautiful ladies :) Yes you should visit.. :) Thank you so much..

No need for me to visit because I live in the Philippines already. On Samar in Calbayog City.

Another great post! I think you did it all. I have seen many YouTube videos on Bohol and the Chocolate Hills, the Tarsier monkeys, etc, but I have never seen anything on the Loboc River Luch Cruise. That looks like something I would want to do. Was is as fun as it looks? Your post is so good I have sent you a little something from @booster. I can't wait to see where you go next!

Yes I have YouTube channel also.. if your interested it shows my life and filipinas personality.. You should try the river cruise lunch and maybe do a paddle board there :) It's fun and with some kids dancing our native dance in PH. Thank you so much for your support.. I really appreciate the comments and the help..

Ok I found your YouTube channel and subscribed! Thanks

yay bohol! :) looks u silly sisters has fun! i don't remember seeing all that when I went to bohol. cool, save some for next time! :P

i do like to make a video in every destinations i go to remember it someday.. :)

Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by filipinalife from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews/crimsonclad, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.

This post has received a 0.63 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.

Bohol is so beautiful :)

yes it is.. :)

Congratulations, Your Post Has Been Added To The Steemit Worldmap!
Author link: http://steemitworldmap.com?author=filipinalife
Post link: http://steemitworldmap.com?post=filipina-travel-guide-20-bohol-tour-packages-or-the-famous-chocolate-hills-and-tarsier-monkey-or-island-hopping-bohol


Want to have your post on the map too?
Add the following inside your post:
!steemitworldmap xxx lat yyy long description d3scr

(replace xxx and yyy with latitude and longitude)

Congratulations @filipinalife! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

Award for the number of posts published

Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here

If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

By upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!

This post has received a 3.72 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @markvance.

very much enjoyable post

This post has received a 20.55 % upvote from @boomerang thanks to: @filipinalife

@boomerang distributes 100% of the SBD and up to 80% of the Curation Rewards to STEEM POWER Delegators. If you want to bid for votes or want to delegate SP please read the @boomerang whitepaper.