Would you climb Mount Everest? Absolutely not, if you ask me. I hate altitude, I hate being cold and I am quite happy admiring mountains from a safe distance, preferably somewhere with a fireplace and a drink. But virtually? That is a completely different story!
I recently headed to Eclipso in Camden Town with a friend to try Everest: The First Ascent, the latest immersive VR experience taking visitors on a journey to the top of the world. And I went with one important concern: my friend is notoriously fussy when it comes to entertainment. So, naturally, I was wondering whether he would actually enjoy it.
He did! Genuinely. And that is probably the best endorsement I can give this experience.
Everest: The First Ascent recreates the historic 1953 expedition that saw Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reach the summit of Everest, placing you right in the middle of the adventure. The experience takes you from Kathmandu towards the mountain, introducing Sherpa culture and traditions before the expedition becomes increasingly challenging as you climb higher.
But this isn’t the sort of VR experience where you simply stand still and watch something happening around you: you are part of the adventure itself. We had to cross dangerous-looking bridges, climb, navigate hazardous situations and interact with objects around us. At various points, we could actually reach out and grab things that appeared to be right there in our hands.
That physical interaction makes a huge difference. I’ve tried VR experiences before, but the technology here feels like a significant step up. The quality and detail of the imagery are impressive, but it is the combination of visual quality, movement and adventure that really makes the experience work.
And yes, there were moments when my brain knew perfectly well that I was standing safely inside a Camden venue, while another part of me was thinking: Why on earth am I doing this?!
My favourite part was standing on top of Everest of course. Which is rather amusing when you consider that this is precisely the sort of thing I would never voluntarily do in real life. No mountain climbing. No freezing temperatures. No dangerously high-altitude expedition. No cold feet! Just me, a VR headset and the comfort of knowing that I could take it all off whenever I wanted.
Yet when the mountains appeared around us, the sense of scale was spectacular. The Himalayan landscapes looked incredible and, for a few moments, it was very easy to forget that we were actually in Camden. That is when immersive entertainment works at its best: when you stop thinking about the technology and simply get caught up in the experience.
Afterwards, I had my usual chat with the staff, I always like to find out more about the experiences I review and they confirmed something I had already suspected: Everest: The First Ascent represents a new level for Eclipso in terms of both quality and entertainment.
And my friend’s reaction was even more telling. He actually said he would take someone on a date to do it – wow. Now, coming from someone who is generally difficult to impress, that is quite something! And I can see why. It is unusual enough to be memorable, but it is also playful and genuinely fun. You have something to talk about afterwards, rather than simply saying, “That was nice” and moving on.
The experience itself flew by. Although the full visit is currently listed at around 50 minutes including the onboarding, the actual adventure felt shorter because we were so absorbed in it. You know that feeling when you look at the clock and think, Surely that can’t be the time already? That’s exactly what happened. We were having too much fun to notice the minutes passing.
The experience is aimed at visitors aged 8 and over, making it an interesting option for families with older children and teenagers as well as adults. And while the adventure puts you in some decidedly hazardous-looking situations, there is no actual danger involved. The Eclipso team is there throughout, with staff monitoring the experience and making sure everyone is safe.
So if you fancy doing something different in London, Everest: The First Ascent is definitely one to put on your list. It combines technology, storytelling and adventure in a way that feels much more sophisticated than simply putting on a VR headset and watching a virtual film. Just head to Camden, put on the headset and enjoy the climb.
Everest awaits and thankfully, the journey home doesn’t involve descending an actual mountain!
Practical Information
Where: Eclipso Immersive Entertainment, 213–219 Camden High Street, London NW1 7BT.
Tickets: Prices currently start from around £21 for children.
Duration: Around 50 minutes including onboarding.
Age: 8+ (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Book: Everest: The First Ascent tickets on Fever
Hi, I’m Francesca! I live in central London and I’m rarely home — there’s always a gallery, gig, or show pulling me out the door. My real loves are music, art and theatre, but I’m just as happy exploring history, sport, or whatever’s newly opened and worth talking about. I’m on a constant search for London’s most enriching experiences, big and small, and I’m here to help you find them too.
