Cebu and Bohol Holidays

Cebu and Bohol Holidays Overview

Cebu and Bohol Holidays In the island of Bohol, nature has played one of her most fascinating wonders - hundreds of limestone moulds covered with thin grass have sprouted from the ground. These turn brown during the dry season and look like "Chocolate Hills".

Touring style: Private tour with English speaking guide.

Best time for this tour is November to April

Day 1: Arrival Bohol

Arrival by flight into Tagbilaran and transfer to your hotel.

Bohol, located east of Cebu is an island province that is naturally beautiful and historically rich. Its capital city, Tagbilaran, has tree-lined plazas and stone buildings, including a church built by the Jesuits in the 18th century. The province has gained a reputation as a site of some of the best beaches in the country. Along with its coastlines are numerous isles including Panglao, Cabilao, Mahinay and Lapinpin, which are excellent diving spots.

Overnight in Bohol.

Distance and journey time: 16 km / 30 mins

Day 2: Bohol touring

Today you will enjoy a private tour of the wonders of Bohol. First stop is the Philippine Tarsier Foundation which serves as a refuge for the smallest primate in the world, the tarsier. Observe these rare creatures in their natural habitat and be amazed by their agility and ability to swivel their heads nearly 360 degrees.

Proceed to Baclayon, make a short stop at the historical Blood Compact site, where Spain’s Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain, sealed their friendship with a symbolic drink. In Baclayon. Visit a centuries-old stone church that houses a museum containing a collection of religious art, ecclesiastical vestments, as well as librettos of church music inscribed in Latin on animal skins.

Proceed with the tour, passing by Bilar man-made forest, a thick undergrowth of towering mahogany trees grown on the fringes of the highway leading to the Chocolate Hills, the country’s geological wonder. From a distance, these hills look like huge candy drops that change in colour with the season and are aptly named ‘chocolate’ when the hill grasses turn deep brown in summer. Hike up to the viewpoint for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area before moving on to Loboc River for a cruise downstream.

Return to the hotel by late afternoon.

Day 3: Bohol

Free at leisure

Day 4: Bohol to Cebu

Transfer to the pier for the 2 hr. ferry to Cebu. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Cebu.

Day 5: Cebu touring

Your tour today starts with a visit to the majestic Taoist Temple. Situated six kilometres from the city centre is this impressive and highly ornate temple of the Taoist religious community. On the way to the Basilica, pass by Cebu’s Provincial Capital and Carbon Market, where most of the city’s fresh produce is being sold. Stop by the Basilica Minore de San Agustin, which now houses the statue of the Infant Jesus. A short walk away is Magellan’s Cross, the place where Christianity was first planted in Cebu. Not far away is Fort San Pedro, the first military stronghold in the country. Its walls were recently restored and a garden is laid out in the inner courtyard, an enticing refuge not far from the hustle and bustle of the harbour. Proceed to Casa Gorordo, the last stop of the tour. The Parian district in today’s downtown area was the residential home of Cebu’s wealthy at the turn of the century. Of the remaining four houses, the Gorordo residence was restored and furnished in the style of the period. Apart from its furniture, there are porcelain, liturgical pieces, clothes and old photographs of Cebu.

Overnight in Cebu.

Day 6: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your departure or continue your Philippines adventure.

Distance and journey time: 10 km / 20 mins