Places to Visit:
Chocolate Hills
Bilar Man-made Forest
Tarsier Enchanted
Loboc River Cruise
Baclayon Church
Blood Compact
Souvenir/Pasalubong
Mirror of the World
Revisiting Bohol allowed you to get a glimpse to some of the prominent architectural landmarks in the world, without the hassle of getting a visa and traveling all the way to the place. In less than two hours, we enjoyed sightseeing at this unique attraction in the province of Bohol at Sikatuna’s Mirror of the World and Botanical Garden.
Sikatuna Mirror of the World is a theme park and a botanical garden located in Libjo, Sikatuna, Bahol, Philippines. The place exhibits some of the iconic landmarks in the world in a scaled-down version in one place. It also features a beautiful landscape garden with various sculptures and figurines, a Japanese Koi Pond, and a cafe with a panoramic view of the whole park.
The Blood Compact Monument is an artwork that was made to honor the first international treaty between the Philippines and Spain. The memorial stands in an area along the side of what is now known as Tagbilaran East Road in the Bool District. Its current spot holds historical significance since it is where Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Rajah Sikatuna performed a blood compact on March 16, 1565. This gesture supposedly signified peace and friendship between the foreigners and the natives of Bohol.
Baclayon Church in Bohol is a declared National Cultural Treasure and National Historic Landmark. It is one of the Philippines' oldest Catholic churches — structurally original and still with authentic materials — dating back to 1727. The actual parish missionary (officially named La Purisima Concepción de la Virgen Parish) was founded by Jesuits in 1596, only a few decades after Spanish conquistadors arrived.
While a significant tourist attraction, Baclayon Church is still managed by local parishioners. For tourists, the reception feels quaint and warm, somewhat loosely organized. When there are no mass services, visitors enter from the small museum, previously a convent. Various religious antiques from as far back as the 16th century are on display.
The Loboc River Cruise in Loboc town is a significant highlight in most Bohol countryside tours. It usually comes inclusive of a generous buffet lunch, or dinner served right on the raft. This floating restaurant also has singers and musicians onboard to serenade guests while they enjoy popular Filipino dishes.
The river cruise starts from Loay Bridge near the Church of San Pedro. Midway through the 1-hour cruise, the raft stops in front of a large hut for a short performance by more singers and dancers dressed in traditional baro't saya. The raft moves along the river until it reaches a small portion of Busay Falls, from which it maneuvers for the return trip.
The Tarsier is the unofficial mascot of Bohol, and everywhere on the island is themed around these little balls of fur. These cute little tree huggers are a huge tourist draw to Bohol Island and a great destination on your next trip to the Philippines. The Tarsier Sanctuary is a haven for the world’s smallest primates, the tarsiers, and offers an incredible opportunity to observe and learn about these endangered animals up close. Tarsiers are tiny furballs that look like weird rats. These tiny primates measure 15-20 centimeters (6-8 inches) from head to tail and are known for their disproportionately large, expressive eyes and unique adaptations. With their incredible agility and ability to rotate their heads almost 180 degrees, watching them leap and cling to trees is an enchanting sight that leaves visitors in awe. The sanctuary is home to a few hundred (estimated) Tarsiers; however, you will (likely) see only a handful of these cute little things just chilling on a tree branch, watching crazy tourists take pictures of them. The Tarsier Sanctuary and local guides provide valuable information about the conservation efforts to protect tarsiers and their fragile habitats. Visitors can learn about the sanctuary’s conservation initiatives and the importance of preserving tarsier populations for future generations. Moreover, visiting the Tarsier Sanctuary allows visitors to contribute to the conservation and welfare of these unique primates. Entrance fees and donations directly support the sanctuary’s efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating tarsiers and promoting public awareness and education.
The Bohol Mahogany Forest, more commonly known as the Bilar Man-Made Forest, is a dense forest stretching two kilometers along the border of Loboc and Bilar towns in Bohol. The forest is mainly made up of white and red mahogany trees. It is part of a reforestation project started over 50 years ago. When one enters the forest, one will notice that the temperature changes abruptly, especially during the hot season. Once one is under the shade of the trees, everything cools down. The man-made forest’s density is thanks to the consistency in the height of its trees and the considerable spread of their branches. The young trees grow straight up towards the sky, which is largely obscured by the branches and the thick leaves. The roots of the trees are beautiful to view as they extend from the ground climb over boulders and curve around the land, even reaching the side of the road.
The Chocolate Hills (Cebuano: Mga Bungtod sa Tsokolate, Filipino: Mga Tsokolateng Burol) are a geological formation in the Bohol province of the Philippines.[1] There are at least 1,260 hills, but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 sq mi).[2] They are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, hence the name. The Chocolate Hills are a famous tourist attraction in Bohol. They are featured in the provincial flag and seal to symbolize the abundance of natural attractions in the province.[3] They are in the Philippine Tourism Authority's list of tourist destinations in the Philippines;[4] they have been declared the country's third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List
8:00AM Pick up at the Hotel Accommodation (Tagbilaran or Panglao area only) then proceed to Countryside tour with buffet lunch at Loboc river floating restaurant. After tour drop off at the hotel.