Offbeat Travel: The Chocolate Hills of the Philippines

Destination names don’t come more inviting than “The Chocolate Hills of the Philippines.” Is this some natural version of Willy Wonka’s inventing room? Are the hills literally bursting with cacao? Did Augustus Gloop take a belly flop and create the hills himself?

Well, the Chocolate Hills aren’t actually made of chocolate, but instead get their name for the deep brown color that these normally green hills take on during the dry season. The Chocolate Hills are a geological formation in the Bohol province of the Philippines. There are at least more than 1,200 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers (20 square miles). The hills are a popular tourist attraction and are even featured in the flag and seal of the Bohol Province, in which they are located.

The Chocolate Hills apparently arose due to a combination of geological and natural processes over millions of years. The hills are composed of limestone, a sedimentary rock formed from the accumulation of marine organisms such as corals and shells on the ocean floor. The formation of the Chocolate Hills began during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene era, around 2 million years ago.

The prevailing theory for the origin of the hills suggests that the hills were initially formed underwater. During a period of tectonic activity and subsequent uplift, the limestone deposits were exposed to the surface. Over time, weathering and erosion processes played a significant role in shaping the hills into their distinct conical shape.

You Might Also Enjoy: Offbeat Travel – Japan’s Jigokudani Monkey Park

Yes, visitors can climb the Chocolate Hills. There are a number of trails that lead to the hilltops, and the views from the top are pretty spectacular. You can also visit the Chocolate Hills Complex, which has a viewing deck, a museum, and (of course) a souvenir shop. Or you can take a boat ride on the Loboc River, which winds through a lush landscape of rice paddies and mangrove forests.

If you’re interested in the local fauna, you can visit the conservation area dedicated to the tarsier — a tiny, endangered primate with enormous eyes that give the creature a slightly otherworldly look. The conservation offers the opportunity to get up close to these tremendously shy but affectionate creatures. The conservation area also offers guided tours led by knowledgeable guides who provide information about tarsiers, their habitat, and conservation efforts. The tours can enhance your understanding of tarsiers and their ecological importance.