Climb Mount Everest in Camden: London's Newest Immersive Experience

Leading immersive entertainment company Eclipso is inviting Londoners to experience one of the greatest achievements in exploration history. Everest: The First Ascent will transport audiences to experience first-hand the historic 1953 expedition that saw Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay become the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

From Kathmandu and the culture of the Sherpa people, to the high-altitude camps, glaciers, and the final summit approach, visitors will follow the journey of Hillary and Norgay, experiencing the scale and challenges of their historic mission first-hand.

Rather than simply watching the story or looking at photos of the first ascent, audiences will be placed at the heart of the expedition, feeling the altitude, fear and doubt alongside the climbers and Sherpas who lived it.

The experience uncovers the physical and psychological truths that lie beneath the photographs and documentaries which have carried their stories across generations, and has been brought to life with a scientific advisory board of Himalayan, mountaineering and cultural specialists.

Now, through immersive VR, audiences themselves can experience the altitude, the vastness and the reality of the Himalayas, gaining a new take on what it takes to conquer the world's highest mountain.

Created by Jean Dallac and Benjamin Auriche, the immersive experience was first previewed at Venice Immersive as part of the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, before arriving at Eclipso's London venue on 30 September.

International Acclaim and Mountaineering Endorsement

The selection places Everest: The First Ascent among leading international showcases of virtual reality, augmented reality and immersive work, recognising a production that brings one of the most extraordinary moments in exploration history into a new medium.

Kenton Cool, British mountain guide and mountaineer, said: “I’ve climbed Everest 20 times, experiencing its immense scale, extreme altitude and, at times, pure fear. Eclipso offers a unique opportunity to step into the footsteps of the 1953 expedition and experience the challenge and emotion of conquering the world’s highest mountain. As a mountaineer, I’m passionate about honouring those who came before us and telling their stories. I’d encourage anyone with a love of adventure, history and interest in Everest to experience this remarkable immersion for themselves.”

Everest: The First Ascent is the latest addition to Eclipso's collection of historical and educational immersive experiences. Following journeys from beneath the ocean with Titanic to beyond the stars with its space exploration experiences, Eclipso takes audiences to the roof of the world, combining cutting-edge technology with some of the most exciting stories in human history.

An Immersive Human Adventure in Camden

Antoine Lieutaud, Founder and CEO of Eclipso, said: "Audiences no longer just have to hear or watch the story of the first-ever ascent of Everest. Now they can become part of it. With this experience we want people to feel the humanity behind Hillary and Norgay's phenomenal achievement, to see the glaciers, feel the scale of the mountain and understand the challenges they faced along the way. Very few people will ever have the opportunity to experience Everest in this way, and we are excited to bring this extraordinary journey to London."

Jean Dallac says: “With Everest: The First Ascent, we wanted audiences to experience the first ascent of Everest not simply as a historical achievement, but as a human adventure. For 35 minutes, visitors are transported into the world of the 1953 expedition, alongside Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay and the Sherpa team, experiencing the beauty of the Himalayas as well as the cold, altitude, exhaustion and uncertainty of the climb. Our aim was to make audiences feel as though they were part of this extraordinary moment in history, without having to leave London.”

Everest: The First Ascent is now open at Eclipso London. Tickets available here.

Key Details:

• Location: Basement floor, 213–219 Camden High Street, London NW1 8QR

• Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday, 11am–8pm

• Duration: 50 minutes (15-minute onboarding + 35-minute VR experience)

• Tickets: On sale now, with prices starting from £20.00

• Minimum Age: 8 years