Alex is an experienced and superb guide who ensured we had a very special experience on this trip. He explained the historical significance and pointed out the many flora and fauna that we otherwise would have missed. If you take the route with the best views, the hike is a mixture of lagoon edge, sand dunes, rocky trail and a short rocky scramble, all very manageable with Alex’s expert help. There is an easier trail if you’d prefer. The views are spectacular! Nestor’s Cave is beautiful with stunning views over the lagoon and the coast where the Aegean and Ionian seas meet. We even saw flamingos flying in for their stopover before flying on to Africa! Old Navarino Castle is worth the climb. Stunning and we experienced a beautiful sunset to make it even more special! We finished our evening at a restaurant in Gialova, specially chosen by ClimbUp and the food was outstanding. So pleased we did this. Thank you, Alex! One point to note, do use insect repellent before you start out. You won’t be bothered with midges but they are around.

The hike was amazing! An absolutely beautiful setting and our guide, Alex was knowledge and supportive! The tour starts at the beach, climbs first to the cave and then to the castle. We walked back down where we went for a swim and then dinner, which was excellent, also included! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Climb Up, thanks Alex for a fabulous afternoon/evening!

Really interesting hike around the lagoon and then up to an old castle and cave. A quick paddle in the sea before going to a lovely taverna for dinner on the seafront at sunset. Alex was a great guide with lots of info about local history, nature and olive trees! A little bit of everything on this trip - really enjoyable

Went with fellow neilson travellers. Lovely hike up hill to ruined castle for excellent views and a very interesting and informative talk from George. Both guides Alex and George were very helpful. Refreshing swim after the hike followed by a lovely meal in a taverna. Wear trainers and don't forget your swimsuit. Some of us went the "easy way up" but it was still slightly tricky in places but i managed it with an injured arm. You can leave change of clothes/towels etc in minivan whilst hiking.

Great evening, Knowledgable guides, learned loads, beautiful location and delicious food. Defintiely recmend this trip.

Wonderful evening walk along the lagoon and then up to a marvellous cave . There is a bit of a scramble but George is very strong on safety and helps when necessary. Strong footwear needed. The views from the fortress were amazing . George gave a great talk about the history of the area . Down to the beach in early evening sunshine for a swim . It was a beautiful sandy bay . Next delight was the family taverna for supper . Highly recommended.

When my wife booked this trip I was a bit doubtful whether it would be worth the money. I am very glad to say that I was wrong. George and Alex were excellent hosts and we got to see a little bit more of this amazing country with the added bonus of some history about the area. The meal on the return journey was also excellent! Thanks for a great day out.

Alex did a great job in leading our group. The walk was challenging at times but rewarding as we reached the top of the hill and the 13th Century fortress with fantastic views of the lagoon and seas. Loved his intro to the world of olive harvesting as well - super interesting, and I hope the crop is good this year. Greek olives and oil are fantastic. After the hike we had a nice cooling dip in the sea - much needed and relaxing. And after that a 20 minute drive to a remote and quiet house where we had the pleasure of eating at Costas' taverna - which was a private meal just for our group! Amazing natural dining outside, with delicious and refined food prepared by Costas's dad - while surrounded by vegetables growing fresh, plus of course vines and olive trees. Wonderful end to the trip!

We were recommended this trip from some fellow Neilson holidaymakers. When speaking to Climb Up, their usual Thursday evening trip was fully booked, but they went out of their way to put on another Monday evening trip to ensure we could go on it before our departure back to the UK. I am so glad they did...we didn't have many expectations but the trip was a highlight of the holiday. After a 45 minute drive we arrived and went on a walk along the lagoon and then up the hill (a relatively strenuous 300 metre climb) to the top where there is an 800 year old castle. George was our tour guide (and also owner of Climb Up) and he has the most incredible knowledge of history and Greek mythology. The insights and the way that he explained them were engaging, interesting and he wanted to ensure he shared his love of Greece. We then walked down the hill to a lovely beach where we had a swim, before being taken to a Greek Taverna for dinner. This was not just a greek Taverna!!! It was hidden down a small road and you would never find it if you were not taken there. The taverna was only open for the tour (6 of us!) and we had a private dining experience. All the fruit and vegetables are grown in the Tavernas garden and the food was delicious with free flowing wine, produced in the village. This meal was a highlight of the holiday. Thank you George for a fantastic trip. We never imagined it could be so good!

A challenging walk for an unfit 40 something, but worth the effort for the fabulous scenery (my husband & teenagers did not find it especially challenging!). Great local historical knowledge from the wonderful guide George added to the experience, as did the fabulous & most welcome food and wine at the taverna afterwards. A perfect way to spend the afternoon/evening. Thank you!

Our tour with George and Alex was wonderful. Both guides had excellent knowledge and passion for the history and geography of the beautiful coastline around Gialova. Our walk was short but had some steep sections, where our guides were especially patient and supportive of the less able members of the tour party. To cap off a lovely evening out, we were dropped off at a secret Greek taverna with home grown vegetables, wonderful salads and copious helpings of wine. Book a trip with George and Alex and you will have a great time!

Fantastic trip from start to finish. George is an amazing guide, passionate about his country and an excellent guide and host. The tour included a gentle walk and mostly gentle climb with panoramic views followed by a swim in the lagoon and brilliant meal at a taverna. 100/10 George.

I cannot rate the tour or more importantly the tour guide and company ore highly. The trip was well thought out- going backwards to the route others take, to miss the hottest sunshine. The place itself is gorgeous and well worth the visit, from the hike to the swim in the sea, and of course the most wonderful dinner in a delightful taverna that uses all home grown produce. The tour was made more special by George, the owner and guide, who was friendly , thought of everything (even bringing small backpacks so you could just take water on the hike) and brought the nature and history of the place to life with tales from history and experiences he’s had there. To top it off with all their tours you get to download for free all of the photos George takes of you on his camera which is far superior to our iPhone selfies! I’d use the company again in an instant. Having a locally run small company do these tours brings so much to the experience

Hard to choose best part, amazing views, well earnt with a climb. Found and caught a snake at castle, and food returning was also brilliant, had to shake the chefs hand when I said thank you 👌

Alexis was a great guide full of interesting facts about both the history and the nature of this beautiful area. He brought us on a really interesting hike visiting the cave of Nestor and the fortress. We then had a wonderful swim just before sunset. Seeing the sun set in the small gap between the island and the mainland was highlight of trip. A very close second to that highlight was the meal he arranged at a traditional greek taverna. We had another long and interesting discussion about Greek history over dinner and a delicious local wine.

Getting to see the cave of King Nestor was an incredible experience! Being somewhere with such historical importance was absolutely fascinating. George’s historical knowledge was fantastic throughout the whole trip, and he’s ever such a lovey guy to chat to! He described history from Thousands of years ago all the way up to the more modern history of the area, and provide a fascinating insight in to the parts of the history relevant to us as Brits. The path up to the cave and on to the castle is uneven, so you’ll need sturdy footwear and to be steady on your feet, but this only added to the experience.

Wonderful time with the most experienced guides. This tour combines hiking, swimming, history lesson (!) and dinner. Highly recommended

A very scenic walk, including a scramble up a rocky path to the castle ruins overlooking a magnificent bay, A kilometre or so stroll back to the lagoon and a swim as the sun was setting, followed by a meal in a traditional Greek Taverna in the hills hallway back to the resort. Well organised, well informed and very friendly guides.

Great evening walk & swim. Fantastic Guides in George & Alex. Interesting to hear the history of Hellas. Very good authentic Greek cuisine on the way back to hotel. Thoroughly recommended.

George and Alex were amazing guides - we thoroughly enjoyed the hike, inspiring history lesson and dinner afterwards! We highly recommend this activity and are so pleased we did it! Thank you guys!