We had a group of 7 and we're all extremely pleased with the decision to spend a day with Claudio. He was very helpful in making sure we were all... read more comfortable in our hike up the mountain. Claudio provided great information throughout the day about all the sites we saw and even some sites that we didn't see any other tour groups go to. So glad we didn't just take a bus to the top like almost everyone else! Learned a ton during the hike and you cannot beat the feeling of accomplishment when you reach the top! Claudio even made sure we were setup with dinner reservations at one of his favorite restaurants for the evening after the tour. Claudio was not only knowledgeable, but also just a genuine good guy who kept us entertained throughout the day. Definitely the highlight of my 10 days in Europe! More

  My girlfriend and I loved our hike to the Eagles Nest with Claudio!

We started by visiting the remains of Hitler's Berghof residence, which we would not have seen... read more on a larger group tour. We were also shown the remains of several interesting places such as a building used for storage of supplies during the war and also a place where the SS barracks used to be.

The hike took us around 2.5 hours, my girlfriend and I have not hiked before but are physically fit. Claudio is more than happy to vary the pace based on the groups abilities. To gauge the fitness required I would say if you need to be able to do a 5k run or comfortably do 20,000 steps in a day you will be absolutely fine.

Claudio is very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions as we ascended the mountain.

Once we were at the top, there is a tunnel (100m?) to the original brass elevator that takes you up to the eagles nest and summit of the mountain.

We were told that the queue can be quite long for the lift, but there was no queue in mid June when we went. If queues are expected a jumper might be handy for the wait in the tunnel is it is very cold (maybe 5 degrees C).

Once at the summit we saw the eagles nest building at the top which is also a restaurant. We got some lunch here and enjoyed the stunning views.

Claudio also took us to a part of the mountain near the summit that we wouldn't have known about without a guide, the landscape at this point is rocky but worth the 1 minute walk for the fantastic view from this point that is off the beaten track.

We chose to descend using the bus to save time (this did have an additional cost of around 10 euros), or Claudio was up for hiking back down as well for no additional cost.

Claudio is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and you can tell he is extremely passionate about the Eagles nest tour which made it the best day out we had in Salzburg. We highly recommend this over a hot coach tour, go with Claudio instead for a real adventure!

THANK YOU!! for a fantastic tour!

  Stanka met us at the bus station in Salzburg and we took the bus trip to Mondsee; around 50 minutes and very pleasant. All the bike hire was organised so... read more after a few seat height adjustments we were off! Stanka was an excellent guide; very good company and very patient with us (we were..kind of slow...). We stopped first at the town's famous church; St Michael's (used for the wedding in Sound of Music). It is pretty beautiful and worth the stop. The mountains around the lake are stunning. It is pretty much what you'd hope for in a lakes-and-mountains bike tour.
We decided to cut the lake tour a little short so we could spend time swimming in the lake. There is an excellent area next to the bike hire where you can swim. Entrance fee is very reasonable and well worth it for the facilities; changing rooms, life guards, various floating things, slides etc; we could easily have spent another whole day here.
Monkey Business is a good way of seeing places and doing things that would otherwise take a lot of organising. Recommended!

  This was by far one of the best tours my husband and I have been on! We did the hiking up to the Eagles Nest as well as the bike... read more ride around Mondsee Lake. We had such an amazing time and Claudio was so passionate and knowledgeable about the history of Salzburg and WWII. We explored the bunkers which was a huge highlight and spoke of all the history. The bike ride was magical around the crystal blue lake. We even stopped at a waterfall which was a nice surprise. The whole time Claudio was very professional, helpful, and so much fun to be around. We would highly recommend any of the two tours we did!

  We cannot thank Claudio enough for his incredible tour! I booked the Eagle’s Nest tour months ago, but due to inclement weather, we thought we would have to cancel. Claudio... read more was so responsive to my emails and answered every question and concern. He modified our tour to include WWII sites further down the mountain so that we would get some exposure to the history and the Alps. He is so knowledgeable about history and took us on a very off-the-beaten track tour. Then, the weather cleared a bit, so he suggested hiking to the Eagle’s Nest on the road instead of the trail. We are avid hikers from California, but this was one of the best hikes we’ve ever taken! He guided us on the hike despite rain and snow (we loved it!). We made it all the way up to the Eagle’s Nest and back down. He was so informative, positive, and easy to work with. Despite bad weather (not dangerous, just wet), he made the best tour we could have hoped for. I couldn’t imagine experiencing the Eagle’s Nest with any other guide. This is a must-book tour! Thank you SO much to Claudio for his time and energy!! We will be back, and hopefully during a time when it’s not snowing 🙂 THANK YOU!!!! More

  Claudio was an amazing tour guide. He's extremely knowledgeable about the area and the World War II history associated with it. It was a rainy day but he came prepared... read more with ponchos, which was more prepared than my group was. It's definitely better than taking a bus up the hill and Claudio handles everything so all you need to do is follow along. …

  When we were planning our vacation in Salzburg we were looking for an unusual tour where we could be physically active and could experience beautiful nature of Austrian lakes and... read more mountains. This tour looked like a perfect match,and it certainly did not disappoint us. Our friendly guide spent whole day with us, telling us history and legends of Salzkammergut and taking us to many amazing places. We're still under the impression and will be recommending this tour to our friends!
P.S. Claudio's homemade energy balls were really tasty and great! 🙂

  Hiked to the eagles nest with Claudio. Was a great day, rained a lot however Claudio was prepared and had rain ponchos for everyone, protein bars and spare water for... read more the hike were a thoughtful touch. Excellent tour with an excellent guide. **do not do an eagles nest tour without a guide** the places we visited today are some of the most important in history and without our guide Claudio we would never have seen them. So grateful. More

  This is a great way to spend a day outside of Salzburg. We met our guide, Alfonso, near the train station and after a short bus ride we were... read more at the at the trailhead below the Eagles Nest. The signs say to expect a 4+ hour hike, but you can really do this in 2-3 hours. The trail is wide and easy to navigate so no real need for hiking boots, comfortable shoes work great. Alfonso had tons of facts and photographs to share along the way. The views at the top are amazing and seem more so after the hike to get there. Well worth it. Alfonso was a great guide, giving us plenty of options to take breaks along the way if needed. He also showed up numerous remains of old WWII bunkers and most importantly the remains of the Berghof house that we never would have found without him. Highly recommend this tour.

  Claudio is a wonderful tour guide, very knowledgeable about the history of the area and he shows you a lot of places you would not get to see on a... read more bus tour. The hike is also beautiful and well worth it! One of the best tours we have been on. You’ll also be supporting a local vs a large company.

  Claudio was so friendly, a great storyteller and managed to make the trip comfortable by keeping the tempo appropriate fore our group! A highly recommend this trip!!

  We had a group of 7 and we're all extremely pleased with the decision to spend a day with Claudio. He was very helpful in making sure we were all... read more comfortable in our hike up the mountain. Claudio provided great information throughout the day about all the sites we saw and even

  This was a great hike with Claudio. We had bad weather, as it rained, but the area desperately needs the rain so I have no complaints about that. Claudio was... read more knowledgeable and friendly. He knows the area and the history well. The hike is not difficult in terms of terrain, but it is a 2 hour uphill hike. So, you should be prepared with water and snacks, and appropriate footwear. Beer and goulash at the restaurant were great. I recommend this experience.

  Claudio led our group on bus rides from Salzburg City Center to Berchtesgaden and then a 2-3 hour hike to the Eagle's Nest where there was ultimately an opportunity to... read more eat lunch and enjoy amazing 360 degree views of Bavarian Alps. The tour also included walking tour by other relevant sites nearby where there are partial remains (Hitler's home, SS Barracks and more) as well as an ongoing informative history discussion about the Third Reich, Hitler, Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest) the area and much more. Claudio was superb, well studied in WWII history, and very professional. He also kindly adjusted the hiking pace of the trip to account for the abilities of all group members. It was a fantastic way to visit this site and see more than the top of the mountain and have an in depth history lesson. I highly recommend!!

  This was such an incredible way to take in the views, get some exercise and learn about the history of Eagles Nest as well as the deep and dark history... read more of the area. Claudio was awesome and we learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed his company and the interesting facts he shared along the hike. The views were magnificent- the rain held out for us and the skies didn’t open until we reached the peak but it did not dampen the great day. This is a must do! Don’t waste time or money taking a bus to the top- this is the only way to see it and you won’t regret! One of the best experiences of our time here.

  This was by far one of the best tours my husband and I have been on! We did the hiking up to the Eagles Nest as well as the bike... read more ride around Mondsee Lake. We had such an amazing time and Claudio was so passionate and knowledgeable about the history of Salzburg and WWII. We explored the bunkers which was a huge highlight and spoke of all the history. The bike ride was magical around the crystal blue lake. We even stopped at a waterfall which was a nice surprise. The whole time Claudio was very professional, helpful, and so much fun to be around. We would highly recommend any of the two tours we did!

  We hiked up to the Eagles Nest with Claudio who is the best - fun, has a beautiful family, great to chat with, has a lot of history to share,... read more and is an avid outdoor adventurer!!!

He’s only been doing the tours for a year, so our hotel didn’t know of him, but if you want to experience nature and see parts of the mountain that the tour buses don’t go to, go with Claudio’s Monkey Business Tours!!!

  Hiked to the eagles nest with Claudio. Was a great day, rained a lot however Claudio was prepared and had rain ponchos for everyone, protein bars and spare water for... read more the hike were a thoughtful touch. Excellent tour with an excellent guide. **do not do an eagles nest tour without

  100% recommend this tour!
Experience
Get to hike up to Eagle’s Nest and there’s so much nature has to offer which will be missed if you take other tours... read more that offer a couch ride to the top (Eg. listening to the cuckoo birds, tasting the fresh pine leaf, and breathing the fresh air).

I went on a cold and wet day; while it is presumingly less enjoyable to others, I strongly urge you not to cancel it. I believe that different weather brings different experiences-
my hike felt mystic as I was constantly in clouds. I couldn’t see the view because it was blocked by the clouds. But a couple and I (who are in the group) decided to gamble and wait, and yes, we managed to have a glimpse of it and we started cheering!

Guide
Claudio is a really nice guy! He offered his own snacks, poncho, trekking poles, and heat warmer to hikers who need it; providing an excellent guest experiences. He was also friendly to others, greeting the bus drivers, giving way, and the locals seem to know him well too. Apart from his amicable personality, he is knowledgeable. He shared with us different genres: history, sounds of music, nature, local tips of Salzburg such as food and sites.

I had a great time being in his tour. It is not a typical leisure tour, but an authentic, sensorial and active experience.

  If you are aiming to discover the beauty of Salzburg area and you are not that excited about those crowdy mainstream bus tours than you should definitely book this one!... read more It's more than just a tour, it's a real journey! Me and my wife had a great time exploring amazingly beautiful locations of Mondsee, enjoying biking, walking and even some hiking leaded by an experienced and knowledgeable tour guide. Our group was pretty compact so we felt very comfortable and cozy! I'd say it's an absolut "must do" for all nature lovers out there!

  Claudio knows the history of the region well. He also has a good sense of humor. His extra excursions into the woods, where we would never have gone except for... read more him, were the icing on the cake. The climb took around 2 ½ hours at a moderate pace, and he took good rest stops. The climb has everything one could ask for, history, exercise, nature with the colors of autumn and great view, which unfortunately was sometimes a bit limited because of fog and rain. This is the perfect thing to do for people who love nature and history. The only thing I can point out to future travelers is that if you need walking sticks, you must let Claudio know in advance.

  Claudio, our guide, is the reason we booked this hike tour to begin with. The comments from others on trip advisor touted his acumen as a guide. After completing... read more our tour of Nest at his side, we can only agree with them! Claudio meets you at the Mcdonald’s by the central train station with a smile and gives you tid bits of history from the moment you meet. He seamlessly navigates a somewhat complex public bus system and along the drive to the base of the site, answers any burning questions you may have about the site, the hike, and the region. Hiking is the best way to really know Eagle’s nest. Claudio provides detailed notes on the construction process to build the trail-up, the reason behind the unique elevator access and different roadway paths, why the Fireplace at eagles nest is missing bits of marble from its side, plus hundreds of other morsels or intelligence your a average history book may leave out. He takes you to places no bus tour can ever go! After describing our experience to others who had come from a bus tour, it was clear, Claudio’s attention to detail and level of intel from his deep studies on the subject are unmatched. At the end of the trip he even suggested some more challenging hikes to my husband and I which were fabulous. What you need to know before you go: There are two... Claudio, our guide, is the reason we booked this hike tour to begin with. The comments from others on trip advisor touted his acumen as a guide. After completing our tour of Nest at his side, we can only agree with them!

Claudio meets you at the Mcdonald’s by the central train station with a smile and gives you tid bits of history from the moment you meet.

He seamlessly navigates a somewhat complex
public bus system and along the drive to the base of the site, answers any burning questions you may have about the site, the hike, and the region.

Hiking is the best way to really know Eagle’s nest. Claudio provides detailed notes on the construction process to build the trail-up, the reason behind the unique elevator access and different roadway paths, why the Fireplace at eagles nest is missing bits of marble from its side, plus hundreds of other morsels or intelligence your a average history book may leave out.

He takes you to places no bus tour can ever go!
After describing our experience to others who had come from a bus tour, it was clear, Claudio’s attention to detail and level of intel from his deep studies on the subject are unmatched.

At the end of the trip he even suggested some more challenging hikes to my husband and I which were fabulous.

What you need to know before you go:
There are two buses you take to get to the base of the mountain.

The trip is roughly a full day event departing at nine am and returning around five thirty pm to the central train station.

Bring layers depending on when you hike. The dramatic elevation means it may be cold at the top.

You hike up and bus down.

If it rains bring plastic bags to keep your non waterproof gear dry.

If it’s raining, it’s still worth the trip for the history, fresh air and good company! More

  This is a great way to spend a day outside of Salzburg. We met our guide, Alfonso, near the train station and after a short bus ride we were... read more at the at the trailhead below the Eagles Nest. The signs say to expect a 4+ hour hike, but you can really do this in 2-3 hours. The trail is wide and easy to navigate so no real need for hiking boots, comfortable shoes work great. Alfonso had tons of facts and photographs to share along the way. The views at the top are amazing and seem more so after the hike to get there. Well worth it. Alfonso was a great guide, giving us plenty of options to take breaks along the way if needed. He also showed up numerous remains of old WWII bunkers and most importantly the remains of the Berghof house that we never would have found without him. Highly recommend this tour. More

  Brilliant to experience walking from the base of the mountain up to the elevator and into the Eagles nest. Lovely walk with great views. Our tour guide was awesome, great... read more knowledge of the area and will show you things otherwise easily missed.

  For an in depth and active tour, this is a day of adventure to impress both history buffs and hikers. It is a strenuous four miles but worth the walk... read more to hear Claudio's inside stories about the area. Truly a gem and one of my best tours ever.

  Eat a good breakfast and prepare for a excellent walk:hike. Claudio was amazing and kept a nice pace for all. Even when some of us struggled - he was... read more right beside us. The views were breath-taking. The rich history explained along the way was important.

  We absolutely LOVED our day with Claudio and could not more strongly recommend making this tour a priority if visiting Salzburg (if we ever come back we might even do... read more it again!). The review of the other travelers are all accurate -- Claudio is professional, kind, and extremely knowledgeable. Our party of 5 people joined Claudio and about 9 other people for this full-day hike/tour. Claudio instantly learned everyone's name and addressed us by name throughout the day, making our little group feel like a private tour. And what makes this tour truly a don't-miss is that Claudio has extensive knowledge about WWII and the Eagle's Nest surrounding area and does an amazing job of explaining the details of history throughout the entire tour. He also patiently, and knowledgeably, answers all additional questions! We loved that we also visited sites that the typical Eagles Nest bus tour doesn't visit. Claudio is super easy to communicate with via email to coordinate everything ahead of time -- just visit his website Monkey Business Tours and send him an email! …

  This tour is definitely 10 out of 10! Right after completing it, I have already recommended it to my friends.
Stunning views of the Alps, tranquil of the forest,... read more enjoyable experience of hiking, visiting places with a lot of historical background behind them, reaching the top - the Eagle's Nest- with 360° view of the mountains, no more words needed.
Just keep in mind that it's not a leisure walking in the forest, it's a hiking tour of 2-3 h with moderate elevation, hence requires adequate fitness level to enjoy it. Don't forget to pack snacks and a lot of water.
Claudio is highly knowledgeable tour guide, adding to the beauty of the Alps a lot of interesting historical information. He is attentive to the needs of the group, checking on everyone regularly, so don't hesitate to take it even if you're a solo traveller.

  This was by far one of the best tours my husband and I have been on! We did the hiking up to the Eagles Nest as well as the bike... read more ride around Mondsee Lake. We had such an amazing time and Claudio was so passionate and knowledgeable about the history of Salzburg and WWII. We explored the bunkers which was a huge highlight and spoke of all the history. The bike ride was magical around the crystal blue lake. We even stopped at a waterfall which was a nice surprise. The whole time Claudio was very professional, helpful, and so much fun to be around. We would highly recommend any of the two tours we did! …