www.mariusztravel.com logo


Egypt 2010

Duration: 2 weeks       Cost: $450 + $350 (flights) per person

A short, independent trip to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Unlike most people going on package tours, Ela and I had the freedom to go where we wanted. We spent 1 day diving in the Red Sea and then went to Cairo for a couple of days. Seeing the Giza Pyramids was obligatory. After that came Siwa, the best oasis in Egypt. Another highlight was a trip to the Black and White Desert, including sleeping under the stars. Last few days we spent in the upper Nile valley, visiting Asuan and Luxor. The latter is the largest open-air museum in the world. Despite all the hassle and high entrance fees, Luxor was worth spending 2 days. After all, some of the most amazing ancient monuments are found in the area.   
our route - map of Egypt

South-East Asia 2009-10

Duration: 9 weeks       Cost: $1400 + $1000 (flights) per person

Most people go on honeymoon somewhere warm and comfortable. After getting married with Ela we both agreed that we just want to travel. No luxury needed, thank you. We started in Thailand, where we spent over a week enjoying spectacular scenery of the Andaman coast. From there we went to Cambodia to admire unbelievable beauty of Angkor. Next came Vietnam, with Ha Long Bay and many, many great places along its 3,444km coastline. After crossing into Laos, we escaped civilization by trekking in the mountains and visiting hill tribe people in their villages. The last country we visited was the most amazing - Myanmar. Isolated and run by a brutal military regime, it was a true journey back in time. Not only to see the old way of life, but to meet the nicest people on Earth.
our route - map of South-East Asia

France 2009

This time it wasn't travelling but a well-paid job that made me go to France. One day I had a phonecall, the next I booked a flight, and the following I was on my way to the airport in Warsaw. After I finished the job in Paris I went to Chamonix. Douglas, with whom I climbed Mont Blanc last year, waited there for me. During the next 2 weeks we only climbed one mountain - Pointe Isabella 3761m. After that the weather broke down and it snowed o lot, so I had to go skiing instead of climbing. A cheaper way to have some winter fun was to climb a frozen waterfall in Argentierre Valley.
photos

The Balkans 2008

Duration: 40 days       Cost: 2400 PLN per person

My girlfriend and I spent over 5 weeks traveling by car from Poland to Albania, visiting 6 countries during our 8,200km odyssey. Some of the highlights include: underground glacier and colorful monasteries in Romania, awesome mountain scenery in Montenegro and beautiful Ionian Sea coast in Albania. Yailata Archaeological Reserve on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria made a big impression. Mileștii Mici in Moldova is also a man-made attraction, but on a different scale. It is the biggest wine collection in the world, stored in the biggest underground town. I know what you are thinking. Moldova? Never heard of it! So go on, check it out!
photos
our route - map of Europe

USA 2008

3 weeks.  6 thousand miles.  11 states and 9 national parks in virtually all climate zones of this enormous country.  Our journey by car took us from Chicago all the way to the Californian coast and back.  On the way we saw some extraordinary scenery, including natural arches, slot canyon, giant trees and geysers.  We hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and went to one of the most amazing places in America, called The Wave. Only 20 people per day can visit The Wave, so check out the photos to see what's all the fuss about!
photos
my route - USA map

France 2008

A visit to the French Alps in winter?  I couldn't miss this opportunity!  Finally I climbed Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps.  Going up was quite straightforward by mountaineering standards.  The weather and conditions were great, no other climbers getting in the way, and we arrived at the top without any problems.  But that's only half the job done, we still had to get down.  We chose to descend the Bossons Glacier, which resulted in some very serious problems.  Crevasse fall and rescue, loss of equipment, 18 hour ordeal without food or drink... But I'm here to tell the story!
photos

Patagonia 2007

After losing my flight to Europe, I decided to stay in South America for 2 more months and visit Patagonia.  I wanted to see a few places I missed during my first trip to the continent, such as Peninsula Valdez and the South Patagonian Ice Field in Argentina.  Also, I wanted to take the Navimag ferry along the Patagonian Channels in Chile.  Overall, it was a fantastic experience and an unforgettable journey through almost all of the Latin World, from Mexico all the way down to Patagonia.  It took exactly 14 months and ended in the capital of Chile in November.
photos
my route - Patagonia map

From Mexico to Argentina 2006-07

Duration: 1 year       Cost: £3750 + £950 (flights)

Another trip to the Spanish speaking world. It started in Mexico City, and during the next 12 months took me to 15 countries in Central and South America. It was the longest and most varied so far. High altitude trekking and climbing in the Andes, diving in Galapagos, Mayan pyramids, Inca ruins, active volcanoes, exotic beaches and islands, the highest waterfall in the world, geysers, deserts, jungle, "El Dorado", whales, glaciers. Click "photos" to see all those amazing places!
photos
my route - Central America map
my route - South America map

USA 2006

Traveling in the United States is extremely easy by car. I had a chance to see some of the magnificent wilderness of this country and I was very impressed. National Parks provide the best opportunities for nature lovers, from sweeping deserts of the Southwest to the forbidding mountains of the north. Driving from Chicago to Arizona left me dwarfed by the sheer scale of the continent. The highlight was the Antelope Canyon near Page, where beams of sunlight enter at midday, illuminating dark interior.
photos

South America 2004-05

Duration: 1 year       Cost: £4500 + £1100 (flights and insurance)

This was my first major trip. It lasted exactly 1 year and really changed me forever, marking the beginning of a new life. It started in Lima, Peru and took me to several countries in South America, including Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. Most of my time there I spent in the mountains, trekking and sometimes climbing. I visited many less-known places and took my time to get to know the people, not just other backpackers. It was supposed to be the journey of a liftime for me, but instead it marked the begining of a new life.
photos