Chocolate Hills is a very unique attraction located on Bohol Island. They look like a man-made attraction that resembles chocolate truffles. This extraordinary landscape is a natural beauty where different activities are offered to make the place more interesting. They are a treat for the eyes. The iconic brown color of the hills appears during the dry season whereas, in the spring and rainy seasons, hills become lush green.
What can you say about Bohol Chocolate Hills?
Bohol Chocolate Hills is a famous attraction for the guests of the Philippines. These majestic hills are perfect to have some adventure or find a relaxing spot to sit. This area contains more than 1000 hills of different types. The shape of hills is either conical or dome whereas the color of the hills changes according to the season. There are different types of stories associated with the Chocolate hills Bohol.
Legends
Some people believe that the chocolate hills came into existence due to the tears of a giant. He had been disappointed in love. He sat in that area and cried. Hills started forming due to the tears falling on the ground. Another story is that two giants had a fight in that area. They kept fighting for many days and lobbed boulders at each other. They fought and resolved the issues whereas the rocks remained there and converted into the hills.
Science
Many geologists researched Bohol chocolate hills. They found that the hills were formed by the natural reactions of weathering of marine limestone that is settled on the top of hardened clay. Another research says that unique formations happened because of the uplifting of the coral deposits ages ago. Hills came into being due to rains and erosion.
Is Chocolate Hills a wonder of the world?
Bohol Chocolate hills is a very important attraction of the Philippines because of their, scientific importance, beauty, and uniqueness. They were declared as the 3rd most important monument of the Philippines by the National Committee on Geological Sciences. People of the Philippines consider it a very important part of their country.
When should I go to Chocolate Hills?
Most parts of the Philippines have a tropical climate. However, the peak tourism season is from December to May which is the dry season. April is the ideal month to visit the country. This is the time of less rainfall and great experiences of swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
You have to visit Bohol during the driest time of the year from January to May. They have their iconic chocolate appearance whereas they become lush green in the rainy season. Tourists especially visit the site during the dry months to capture the iconic color of the chocolate hills in their camera.
Why is Chocolate Hills?
Chocolate hills are not made of chocolate neither they have any chocolate plantations. There is no chocolate factory in the area so the reason for this name is the color they have. These hills remain lush green during the rainy and beginning of the summer season. They have grass blanketing with small plants and bushes. Bushes and grass becomes dry during the summer season and turns chocolaty brown due to summer heat. They are an important monument listed in the UNESCO world heritage site.
What can you do in Chocolate Hills?
Hiking and Trekking
Chocolate Hills become a perfect spot for hiking and trekking or relaxing. They have wild orchids, trees, and many wild species of insects and bugs. Some areas among the hills have freshwater crabs. You can go up and down to explore beauty.
Camping
If you want to witness the beauty of the hills more closely, then camping is the best activity. Remember that the hills are completely natural and there are no facilities. Keep all the important things along with you while staying in the hills. The most important thing among all the necessities is mosquito repellent.
Bohol Chocolate Hills Park
There is an adventure park among the hills. It is not an ordinary place to spend the day whereas it offers an extensive range of activities to have fun among the chocolate hills of Bohol. Some activities offered by the park are:
The Rush Bike Zipline
It is a 550meter long bike zip. You can get the safety cables and equipment around you to bike in the midair above the hills. It is the most stunning view of the hills from the above. The breeze hit the face as you paddle in the air. The minimum age limit is 6 years old with at least 4ft height.
Decagon Tree challenge
It is a rope challenge in the Bohol chocolate hills where visitors can move from one direction to the other by the ropes stranded among the trees. It is from level one to ten.
The Wave Runner Surf Zipline
It is the first and only surfing zipline on the continent. You can go surfing at a height of almost 230 ft above the hills. You can see the amazing panoramic views of the chocolate hills while surfing in the air.
Gymnaskids
This is the activity for kids who are too small or too young. This is a rope course that is done by a set of ropes and obstacles. There are different supports and activities like vine walk, balance beam, Burma loop, or spider web. This is a very safe and excellent adventure opportunity for kids. They can do all the challenges very easily with the help of adventure staff. It is for kids from 6 to 12 years.
Chicken and Fish Feeding
There is a small garden with a lagoon near the gate of the park. It has a small bridge upon the clear spring water with different types of the fridge. You can buy fish feed to toss into the pond and watch fish coming on the surface to eat it. There are chickens roaming freely in the greenery. You can feed corn to them. They are tamed so they will start following you around.
Tree Top Rope
Treetop mid rope course is for everyone to have rope challenges. Everyone can participate in this activity on Bohol Chocolate hills. This is for every thrill seeker. Adventure lovers can combine Treetop rope challenges with Rush bike zipline.
Mountain Biking and Horseback riding
This is the best activity to know Chocolate hills closely. There is a challenging trail to explore the hidden sides of the hills. You can visit many areas hidden from the height.
Ang Paru Paro Butterfly Garden
Paru-paro means butterfly in Tagalog. There is an abundance of butterflies in Chocolate hills park. One side of the park has a net that works as a sanctuary for butterflies. You will notice many colorful flowers and a huge variety of butterfly species. There are many unique species of butterflies that are rarely seen anywhere else.
How tall are the Chocolate Hills?
There are more than 1200 individual chocolate hills. These all are of different sizes and shapes. Mostly are cone-shaped or dome shaped. Sizes are according to the shapes from 30 to 59 meters high. The largest hill among all of them is 120 meters or 390 ft. Chocolate hills is a very famous tourist spot in Bohol that expands on almost 50 square kilometers. Bohol chocolate hills are perfect to visit with friends and family.
Some tips about visiting Chocolate hills
- Carry a lightweight backpack because there is a lot of walk and different activities.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
- Chocolate hills is a very beautiful attraction so keep a garbage bag to keep the trash and throw it in a garbage can.
- There is a lot of mosquito in some parts of the hills. Keep mosquito repellent in your backpack.
- Carry a reusable water bottle to refill it when needed.
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