A holiday that takes you beyond Earth may sound like something reserved for astronauts, billionaires or science-fiction films. Who thought trading a routine beach vacation for a seat looking down at Earth could
be a real luxury getaway out of this world, literally!
As space tourism gradually moves into the luxury travel market, a new package listed in China is attracting attention with its promise of a six-day journey to orbit. Chinese online travel platform Trip.com (known as Ctrip in mainland China) has unveiled its most ambitious package yet: a six-day space tourism itinerary priced at a staggering 5.1 million yuan (approx. ₹6.5 to ₹6.9 crore).
If you have a couple of millions to spare and a craving for ultimate adventure, here is what this ultra-exclusive vacation actually looks like.
What Does The Space Holiday Include?
Despite being described as a six-day space tourism package, the actual flight experience is expected to be much shorter. The package reportedly includes a 90-minute suborbital spaceflight, rather than a six-day stay in orbit. The wider six-day duration may cover associated travel, preparation, training and other arrangements connected with the experience.
During the flight, passengers would be able to experience weightlessness briefly and view Earth from the edge of space. A suborbital journey does not complete a full orbit around Earth. Instead, the spacecraft travels beyond the atmosphere before following a trajectory back to the planet.
Four Days of Training, One Unforgettable Launch
Operated in collaboration with US-based commercial space giant Virgin Galactic, the itinerary kicks off at Spaceport America in Las Cruces, New Mexico. But don’t expect to just hop into a spaceship right away.
The first four days are dedicated entirely to rigorous astronaut preparation. Travelers undergo simulator sessions, high-G-force centrifuge testing, parabolic zero-gravity flights, emergency drills, and sensory-overload exercises to ensure their bodies are flight-ready.
90 Minutes in Suborbital Space
The highlight arrives on day five. Passengers board Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft for a 90-minute suborbital journey reaching the edge of space. Once up there, travelers experience several minutes of pure weightlessness while soaking in panoramic views of Earth’s curvature through 17 custom cabin windows.
To top off the bucket-list journey, every graduate of the program receives an official “Commercial Astronaut” certificate from the Association of Space Explorers upon landing.
Is The Trip Ready For Take-Off?
The listing does not necessarily mean that travellers can immediately board a spacecraft. Space tourism packages are subject to flight schedules, safety checks, training requirements, regulatory approvals and operational availability. The exact departure date, inclusions, insurance conditions and refund policy should therefore be confirmed before making any payment.
For those who can afford it, the next holiday upgrade may not be a better suite or a longer cruise, but a brief view of Earth from space.
