Bohol Country Side Tour – Private w/ Lunch

Chocolate Hills in one day, without the hassle. This private countryside route pulls together Bohol’s big-name sights and calmer stops, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned ride, and an included Loboc River cruise lunch. You’ll hit the Chocolate Hills, the planted Bilar forest, the tarsier sanctuary, and the historic Baclayon Church in one organized day.

I like the value structure here: admission tickets and all fees are included, plus your lunch is handled on the river cruise. I also like that your guide can actually talk, and that personal tone shows up in guides like Daniel, who brings context while you’re moving between stops.

One consideration: you start at 8:00 am and stay out about 8.5 hours. It’s not a short, stop-and-snack kind of outing, so plan it as your main day activity, not a casual wander.

Key highlights before you go

• Private, exclusive vehicle: just your group in an air-conditioned van or car, with pickup and drop-off.
• Admissions and fees included: entrance tickets, environmental fees, and taxes are part of the package.
• Chocolate Hills with real time: about 1 hour 30 minutes at the Natural Monument area.
• Tarsier Sanctuary visit: around 1 hour 30 minutes with the tiny primates up close.
• Loboc River cruise lunch: a buffet lunch included on the river, plus time to enjoy the ride.
• Optional add-ons: ATV rental is not included (P1100 per person), and zip-line activity is mentioned for thrill seekers.

The private van factor: why this day feels easier

If you want Bohol’s highlights without turning the day into a commute puzzle, a private route makes a big difference. You get an exclusive air-conditioned vehicle, pickup and drop-off, and a schedule that strings together the major sights in a logical order. That matters because Bohol can mean lots of driving between stops, and you do not want to spend your precious daylight figuring out transport.

I also like that this tour is designed as a whole-day flow. The timing is built around longer visits, not just quick photo pulls. You’re looking at roughly 8 hours 30 minutes total, with each stop getting its own block of time. That helps you enjoy what you came for, even if you have a slightly slower pace or you like to take your time.

And yes, lunch is part of the plan, not an afterthought. A Loboc River cruise buffet lunch is included, which is one less thing you need to research or coordinate. For a full-day tour at $119 per person, it’s the kind of planning that keeps the day calm.

One more detail I appreciate: the day is explicitly weather-dependent. If weather turns poor, the tour can be rescheduled or refunded, so you’re not stuck wondering what happens next.

Chocolate Hills Natural Monument: more than a quick photo

Your first major stop is the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument. These are iconic geological formations in Bohol, with at least 1,260 hills and possibly as many as 1,776. The core idea is simple, yet impressive: these rounded “hills” turn brownish during dry periods, creating the chocolate-like look people talk about.

You get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, which is the right length for a sight like this. In that window, you can do the obvious viewing points and still have time to slow down, take photos, and actually look at how the hills change shape and density across the area. If you only had 20 minutes, you’d end up snapping pictures and rushing away without really seeing what makes the formation special.

What to watch for: the Chocolate Hills are a viewpoint experience, so your comfort matters. Wear shoes you can stand in, and keep expectations realistic. It’s a natural monument with viewing areas, so bring the right attitude: you came to observe scale and texture, not to “tour a building.”

Drawback to consider: it’s outdoors and the day depends on weather. If visibility is limited, the experience can feel more like a distant overview than a sharp, dramatic vista.

Bilar Man-Made Mahogany Forest: quiet shade, planted on purpose

After the big wow moment, the tour shifts to the Bilar Man-Made Mahogany Forest, also described as a man-made or planted forest. This is an intentionally created forest, where humans planted trees in a specific area. That’s interesting because it makes you notice the idea behind the scenery, not just the scenery itself.

You’ll have about 1 hour here. That’s enough time to stroll at an easy pace, take in the shade, and let the day breathe a bit. It’s the kind of stop that can feel refreshing if the first half of your day already includes open-air viewpoints.

What makes this stop worth your time is that it’s not trying to be “dramatic tourism.” Instead, it’s a calmer break from the road, and it gives you a different side of Bohol, more about land use and forest texture than big geology.

Possible downside: because it’s a planted forest, some people who want purely natural scenery might wish for something more wild-feeling. Still, if you enjoy contrast in scenery, this works well in the day’s lineup.

Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary: tiny primates, big eyes

Next comes the Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary in Corella, Bohol. Here you get around 1 hour 30 minutes. The star is the tarsier, described as the second smallest primates, mostly found in Southeast Asia. This is one of those animals where size still surprises you even if you’ve seen photos.

You’re visiting an eco-tourism destination, so the experience is built around respectful animal viewing rather than fast, crowded “grab-and-go.” With your time block, you’re not forced into sprinting through. It’s a good stop if you like animal encounters that feel slow enough to notice details.

Quick practical note: tarsiers can be easy to miss if you’re watching like it’s a zoo show. Keep your eyes open, move carefully, and give the animals a chance to do what they do. The value here is patience and quiet attention, not speed.

One consideration: this is still a daytime stop in a sanctuary setting. If you’re sensitive to heat or want constant activity, it might feel calmer than you expect. But that calm is also part of why the tarsier visit can be memorable.

Loboc River cruise lunch: included buffet and optional thrills

Loboc River is one of Bohol’s major tourist destinations, and it’s built into the day for a reason: this is where scenery meets food, and you get a break from constant driving. You’ll have about 2 hours at the river stop, and lunch is included as a buffet lunch on the Loboc River cruise.

The lunch piece is a big value driver in the overall $119 price. You’re not only getting a meal, you’re getting it in a travel context. Instead of finding a restaurant on your own, you get local dishes served while you’re enjoying the river ride and the view.

Now, about the fun stuff. The tour overview mentions zip-line activity over the Loboc River for thrill seekers. Zip-line details like cost or exact duration are not stated in the provided info, so I’d treat it as an optional add-on rather than a sure included part of your day. If you’re into adrenaline, ask ahead how it fits into your day timing.

There is also ATV rental information: it is not included, listed at P1100 per person. If you think you might want it, decide early. Adding extra activities can shift how comfortable your timing feels, especially on an 8.5-hour day.

What you’ll love most here: the “two-in-one” experience. You get food plus a scenic break. Even if you’re not chasing activities, the included cruise time helps make this feel like more than a list of stops.

Baclayon Church: old stones and still-authentic materials

The last major heritage stop is Baclayon Church. It’s described as a declared National Cultural Treasure and National Historic Landmark, and it’s one of the Philippines’ oldest Catholic churches, with structurally original features and authentic materials.

You get about 1 hour here. That’s enough time to look closely without turning the visit into a lecture marathon. Churches like this reward slower observation: details in materials, architectural lines, and the feeling of a place that has been standing through many decades.

This stop also balances the day. After geology, planted forest calm, wildlife viewing, and a river cruise, the church visit gives you a cultural anchor. It’s a reminder that Bohol’s story is not just natural features and animals. It’s also how communities built and maintained places of worship over time.

A possible drawback: if you’re mainly chasing outdoor views, you might want to manage energy at this point. It’s still worthwhile, just treat it like a calmer final chapter, not a final “wow photo sprint.”

Price and what you really get for $119

At $119 per person, the big question is value. Here’s the short version: you are paying for convenience, transportation, and a day that already covers the most expensive-looking parts.

Included:

• Exclusive air-conditioned van or car
• Pickup and drop-off
• All fees and taxes
• Environmental fees
• Admission tickets (the itinerary states admission tickets are included at each stop)
• Lunch buffet during the Loboc River cruise

For a private tour, that’s the kind of package that can feel fair, especially because entrances and the river lunch are typically the pieces that add up when you plan on your own. Also, the tour runs about 8 hours 30 minutes. You’re not buying “a ride.” You’re buying blocks of time at major stops, handled in an organized flow.

Two extra value points:

• You get a private experience, meaning you can keep your group moving at a comfortable pace.
• Booking tends to happen about 25 days in advance on average. For a specific start time at 8:00 am, planning ahead is smart if your travel dates are fixed.

Timing tips for an early start and a full day

Starting at 8:00 am means you’ll be working within daylight from the beginning. That’s helpful for viewpoints like the Chocolate Hills and for any outdoor parts of the day. It also means you should treat the morning like your “get ready and go” window, not your “sleep in and snack later” window.

The itinerary blocks are fairly even across the day:

• Chocolate Hills first (1 hour 30 minutes)
• Bilar forest (1 hour)
• Tarsier sanctuary (1 hour 30 minutes)
• Loboc River stop (2 hours, with buffet lunch)
• Baclayon Church last (1 hour)

Because it’s about 8.5 hours total, stamina matters a bit. The tour notes moderate physical fitness is needed, which usually translates to being comfortable with walking in viewing areas and moving between stops over the course of the day.

My practical advice: wear comfortable shoes and plan for a warm day. Bring sun protection and refillable water. Even if your schedule feels smooth, a full day in Bohol still means you’re out and about for hours.

Who this private countryside tour fits best

This tour makes the most sense if you want a structured day but still want private comfort. It’s a good match for:

• Couples who want to avoid crowds and enjoy a calmer pace between stops
• Families who prefer a pickup and a plan instead of juggling multiple tickets and rides
• Animal lovers who want a dedicated block of time at the tarsier sanctuary
• History and culture readers who like ending the day at Baclayon Church
• People who value included logistics, especially the Loboc River cruise lunch

If your idea of fun is bouncing between places on your own with maximum spontaneity, a private set route might feel less flexible. But if you like knowing your day is “handled,” this tour structure works.

Should you book this Bohol countryside tour?

Book it if you want:

• A private, air-conditioned ride with pickup and drop-off
• Admissions and fees included, so you are not counting pennies mid-day
• A real lunch plan via the Loboc River cruise buffet
• A balanced route that covers geology, a planted forest, tarsiers, a river cruise experience, and a historic church

Skip it or think twice if:

• You dislike long days with multiple stops. At 8.5 hours, it’s full.
• Weather has to be perfect for you. This tour requires good weather, and the plan can shift if conditions are poor.

My bottom line: for $119 per person, this is a practical way to see Bohol’s main icons plus a couple of quieter stops, without spending your time coordinating. If you’re planning a short stay and want one countryside day that feels complete, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Bohol Country Side Tour?

It runs for approximately 8 hours 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 8:00 am.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch is included as a buffet lunch on the Loboc River cruise.

Are admission tickets included?

Admission tickets are included for the listed stops, and all fees and taxes are included as well.

Is the tour private?

Yes, it is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Is an ATV rental included?

No. ATV rental is not included and is listed at P1100 per person.

Are there any options for activities during the Loboc River part?

The overview mentions zip-line activity over the Loboc River for thrill seekers, while the ATV option is listed as separate and not included.

Is there a fitness requirement?

The tour is described as needing a moderate physical fitness level.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.