BETWEEN TWO WORLDS
30th July - 6th August, 2025.
A Mars-Inspired Expedition in Ladakh for 12 handpicked crew members. Here is your opportunity to learn from the world's leading scientists about our planet and the journey towards Mars- the next frontier. Present-day Ladakh is similar to how Mars was billions of years ago, our scientists are part of a global effort to study that.
Be a part of the first crew that is helping build India's first research station- Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration. Venture into Ladakh’s stunning high-altitude landscapes where Earth feels like another planet. Between Two Worlds is a travel experience that blends adventure, science, and cultural immersion—exploring Mars-like terrain right here on Earth.
Join the International Dark Sky movement by camping under star-filled skies, preparing scientific sketches, contributing to the dark sky conservation efforts. Have a meal with an ancient nomadic community, learning about the landscape's evolution through their wisdom. This expedition takes you off the map and into the future. Seasoned expeditioners share their life stories, beckoning you to join a tribe that lives to learn from the present and trains for tomorrow.
Where Earth meets Mars, your next great adventure begins.
A Unique Expedition awaits
Meet your Instructors
Dr Jonathan Clarke
Mars Senior Geologist, President Mars Society Australia
Meet Jon, your go-to Field Instructor. Hailing from Australia's bush capital, Canberra, Jon's got an epic background spanning paleontology, geology, astrobiology, and planetary sciences. He's led countless expeditions, from digging for ancient fossils to exploring Mars analogue sites across the globe. Get ready to uncover Earth's secrets and blast off into the cosmos with Jon!
Activities: Immersive activities (geological field tools and gadgets), learning to think like a planetary scientist as you unravel alien worlds, one rock at a time! walk alongside ancient lake shorelines, high glacial passes, observe hot water pools.
Dr Annalea Beattie
Artist, Dark Sky Conservator, Mars Expeditioner, Director, Mars Society Australia
Meet Annalea, an artist and visionary who uses art to imagine our future lives on Mars. She's not just dreaming; Annalea embarks on space science expeditions to extreme Earth environments—think Mars on Earth! She led several long duration Mars simulations at the Mars Desert Research Station, US. As a member of the International Dark Sky Association, she's passionate about conserving these unique sites and understanding how art evolves in such challenging places.
Activities: Sketch geological wonders, capture the night sky through art, and engage in powerful discussions on conservation and space ethics
Dr Siddharth Pandey
Space Engineer, Director, Protoplanet
Meet Siddharth, Director of Protoplanet and a real-life space research engineer who's worked all over the globe, from the USA to Australia, the Netherlands, and India. He helped build Australia's first Lunar Rover! Siddharth has been leading Ladakh Mars expeditions since 2016, bringing his extensive experience from NASA Ames and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he developed exploration tech for Venus and Icy Moon missions and designed biological experiments for the ISS. He's passionate about using space to inspire and unite communities.
Activities: Discussions on India's exciting space missions and gain a unique opportunity to contribute to the design and operations of India's first planetary analogue station, the upcoming Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration in Ladakh!
Expected outcomes from the program:
01
Gain a once in a life time experience to walk alongside leading planetary scientists to gain an immersive training experience about Earth's origins and the exploration of Mars
02
Contribute towards the commissioning of India's first Mars training station. You become a member of the Protoplanet Explorer community.
03
Join efforts to champion the conservation of India's dark skies. Witness the changing climate and how it impacts us on a micro and a planetary level.
04
Grow an understanding on how culture and resilience in extreme environments on Earth helps prepare us for venturing into space.
Registration Fee ( including GST)
INR119,000/-
FOR MORE INFO
Please go through the provided information before proceeding to registering. In case of any queries, please reach out to support@protoplanet.co
Please go through the provided information before proceeding to registering. In case of any queries, please reach out to support@protoplanet.co
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Expedition Itinerary
(Details will be shared upon registration)
Day 1 - 30 JULY, Saboo
B2W crew arrives, acclimatise and rest
Day 2 - 31 JULY, Likir and Saboo
Acclimatize, choose to participate in a 17th century Ladakhi eco-conscious pottery activity, evening chats and preparation to embark for 'Mars'
Day 3 - 1 AUGUST, Saboo to Tso Kar
Drive to Tso Kar, with enroute stops to engage in scientific discussions, cultural observations, reach Tso Kar, a high altitude glacial lake and site for the upcoming Mars station
Day 4 - 2 AUGUST, Tso Kar
Walk with a scientist on Mars, learn how to explore an alien planet, help the team characterize the site to aid the design and commissioning of the upcoming Mars station. Night stargazing and discussions on dark sky conservation, life on Mars
Day 5 - 3 AUGUST, Puga, Tso Kar
Visit to Puga hot springs, learn about how life might have started on Earth and possibly on Mars
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Day 6 - 4 AUGUST, Tso Kar to Leh
Engage with Tso Kar community, learn how art and culture permeates in extreme environments on Earth, drive back to Leh
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Day 7 - 5 AUGUST, Leh
Relax, reflect,your last day as part of the crew, group discussions
Day 8 - 6 AUGUST, Leh
Crew flies home
Day | Date | Programme | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | 30-Jul | B2W crew arrives, acclimatise and rest | Saboo |
Day 2 | 31-Jul | Acclimatize, choose to participate in a 17th century Ladakhi eco-conscious pottery activity, evening chats and preparation to embark for 'Mars' | Likir, Saboo |
Day 3 | 1-Aug | Drive to Tso Kar, with enroute stops to engage in scientific discussions, cultural observations, reach Tso Kar, a high altitude glacial lake and site for the upcoming Mars station | Saboo to Tso Kar |
Day 4 | 2-Aug | Walk with a scientist on Mars, learn how to explore an alien planet, help the team characterize the site to aid the design and commissioning of the upcoming Mars station. Night stargazing and discussions on dark sky conservation, life on Mars | Tso Kar |
Day 5 | 3-Aug | Visit to Puga hot springs, learn about how life might have started on Earth and possibly on Mars. | Puga, Tso Kar |
Day 6 | 4-Aug | Engage with Tso Kar community, learn how art and culture permeates in extreme environments on Earth, drive back to Leh | Tso Kar to Leh |
Day 7 | 5-Aug | Relax, reflect,your last day as part of the crew, group discussions | Leh |
Day 8 | 6-Aug | Crew flies home | Leh |
