There’s nothing around you - no buildings, no traffic, no signs of life. Just endless red clay hills, frozen ground, and silence. To reach your workplace, you don’t get into a car or bus. You climb into a rover and begin moving across the barren landscape.
It sounds like a scene from a science fiction film. But this is very real. This is the MARS-V project in Mongolia, a place designed to make you feel like you’re living on Mars.
Why Mongolia’s Gobi Desert Feels Like Another Planet
Mongolia is often associated with vast grasslands, nomadic culture, and the legacy of Genghis Khan. But deep inside the Gobi Desert, the landscape changes dramatically. The region is one of the coldest deserts on Earth, with winter temperatures dropping to - 40°C. The soil here is rich in iron oxide, giving the hills a reddish tone that closely resembles the surface of Mars.
What truly makes this place special is its isolation. There are no nearby towns, no modern infrastructure, and very little human presence. Scientists and space agencies already use environments like this to test rovers, equipment, and human endurance. The MARS-V project builds on this idea, turning the desert into a controlled Mars-like habitat.
The goal isn’t just research, it’s experience. The idea is to let people understand what life on Mars might actually feel like, beyond movies and imagination.
Inside the MARS-V Experience
The Mars Camp is expected to open in 2029, but this is not a place where you can simply book a room and arrive. Anyone who wants to stay here must go through physical and psychological screening, followed by months of training. Participants learn how to live in isolation, follow oxygen protocols, and work as part of a small, disciplined team.
Before reaching the camp, there’s a final simulation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital. Phones are surrendered, communication is restricted, and after a long, bumpy journey, participants arrive at the habitat.
Life inside the camp follows a strict routine. Days begin with exercise, meditation, and briefings. Meals are frozen or dehydrated, carefully planned to provide nutrition in extreme cold. Tasks often require traveling far from the habitat in rovers, just as astronauts would do on Mars. Even communication is delayed, simulating the time lag between Earth and Mars.
Accommodation comes in the form of compact bunk pods, inspired by traditional Mongolian felt tents, blending local culture with futuristic design. While the environment feels lonely, support teams are always nearby, present but intentionally out of sight.
A Glimpse Into the Future of Space and Tourism
Real missions to Mars are still many years away, and when they happen, they won’t be accessible to most people. The MARS-V project offers something different: a chance to experience the psychological and physical reality of Mars right here on Earth.
The Gobi Desert is already known for its extreme beauty and harsh climate. With the addition of this Mars simulation camp, Mongolia may soon become one of the most unique destinations in the world, not just for adventure tourism, but for anyone curious about humanity’s future beyond Earth.
For now, Mars remains distant.
But in Mongolia, you can come surprisingly close.