Ever wanted to visit Mars?
We ask because now you can. Well, in a way.
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TripAdvisor is offering the vacation of a lifetime, and it’s called Experience Life On Mars.
You’d live as an astronaut, essentially, in the caves of Northern Spain, for about a month.
In the description posted online, the site asks, “Want to be part of the next great space race? The Astroland experience offers those brave enough a demanding test, full of rewards of incalculable value.”
Still have no idea what we’re talking about?
You’d be truly exploring your limits if you went on this trip, which includes a three-week training program and another three days of physical and psychological training at the Astroland facilities, according to TripAdvisor.
“The first step toward establishing a human colony on Mars is to replicate living conditions on the Red Planet,” the site says. “With this aim in mind, we have created a scientific space station deep in the caves of Cantabria. Ares Station is isolated from human contact and the cavity, framed in an idyllic setting, is 60 meters tall and 1.2 kilometers long. Ares Station is equipped with everything necessary to test all the technologies and human performance capabilities that will be required to survive life on Mars. You will be a pioneer in the arrival of the human species to other planets.”
By the way, it’s not cheap: At last check, the price for the experience started at a cool $6,796.41.
But if you’re a space buff, it might be cool.
It sounds like you undergo all the training, and then the entire event leads up to three days of total seclusion in the cave itself.
Once you’re in, you’d be given the necessities for survival, but you’d be testing out what human life would be like on Mars. You wouldn’t have any contact with the outside world. You’d wear special equipment and everything.
Only 10 people will go on each expedition.
Some upcoming start dates are Sept. 22, Oct. 13, Oct. 27, Nov. 10 and Nov. 24.
We should note, this isn’t recommended for people with heart problems, back problems, pregnant women or anyone else with other serious medical conditions. It’s also not wheelchair accessible. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level, TripAdvisor said.
Can’t get enough of this idea? Here’s a more scientific look at the experience -- and a complete itinerary for the 30-day adventure.