Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City Review
Yesterday I travelled to Peru—well, virtually. Machu Picchu has long been on my bucket list, but instead of visas, flights, and altitude training, all I needed was a headset in Shepherd’s Bush
Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City is billed as the world’s first free-roam VR expedition to the ancient citadel. Developed in collaboration with Virtual Worlds, the experience blends cutting-edge immersive technology with historical expertise. Using drones, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and high-end cameras, the team digitally captured every stone and summit during the pandemic. Five years in the making, the result is a breathtaking 4D reconstruction that transports visitors back 450 years into the heart of the Incan Empire. The involvement of historians ensures the journey is authentic and educational.
The experience took me deep into the world of the Incas. I wandered through sacred temples and plazas, stepped inside a home during a solar eclipse, and explored sweeping landscapes. Walking along the famed terraces was a moment that made me pause—for just a brief moment it was easy to forget I was standing in London.
The strongest elements are its sweeping visual detail and the sheer ambition of digitally reconstructing Machu Picchu with such accuracy. My personal highlights were soaring with condors above the Andes and strolling through the site under a starry night sky. Those moments captured the magic of being somewhere both ancient and alive.
Guided by TERI the robot (with plenty of groan-worthy “Inca” jokes) and Larry the Lama, the journey mixes education with adventure. I’ll admit I found TERI a little distracting, though younger audiences will likely enjoy the humour. Still, the guides add a quirky character to the expedition.
There were a few areas that could be refined. The echo-y venue sometimes broke immersion, and TERI’s habit of zooming off before settling on a direction made navigation confusing. Clearer cues and more time to linger in the scenery would have elevated the experience further.
It was also educational: we visited a family, a priest, and guards, and saw how the Inca people lived day to day. Exploring the Temple of the Sun was another highlight, giving a sense of the grandeur and spirituality of the site.
The session lasts around 45 minutes, though with lockers and headset fitting it takes closer to an hour. You move freely through the virtual world, interacting with landmarks and appearing to others as avatars. The experience is available in five languages—English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish—making it accessible to a wide audience.
I left with an even stronger desire to visit Peru in person—friends warn altitude training is essential—but until then, this VR journey offers a unique way to step back in time. If you love history, architecture, or adventure, Machu Picchu: Journey to the Lost City is a memorable expedition worth taking.
The experience officially opened on 4 December, following its UK debut in Manchester in November and building on its success in the US, Germany, and Singapore. Tickets are available through Fever, the global live entertainment discovery platform, and can be booked until 28 February 2026. Prices start at £14.50 for children and £18.50 for adults, with an age requirement of 10+.
Address: W12 Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush Grn, London W12 8PP
Tickets available at https://feverup.com/m/471222
Website: https://machupicchuexp.com/london/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/machupicchuexp
Written by Caitlin Neal
