Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, sits in the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China – a good 4,500-odd miles from us here in London. So, why are we talking about this world wonder here on Secret London? Well, next month (October 16, to be precise) will see Tenzing, a film about the first people to reach the Mount Everest summit, released on Apple TV (with some previews from October 9 at Picture House).
Tenzing stars our very own Londoner Tom Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary, alongside the titular character, Tenzing Norgay, who is played by Genden Phuntsok. The cast also includes A-lister Willem Dafoe. If you so happen to be across the pond in the US, it’ll be released in selected US cinemas a week earlier, on October 9.
22 October 2026 11:00 + more dates
Eclipso Cultural Adventures
So, what is the film actually about?
The film focuses on the eponymous character, Tenzing Norgay (played by Genden Phuntsok), and his gruelling journey to the Mount Everest summit, as he fought to be treated as an equal member of the climbing team.
Ultimately (and this is not a spoiler alert, given it’s a true story), he and Edmund Hillary (played by Tom Hiddleston) were the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. You can watch the trailer here.
Forget boarding a long-haul flight to experience Mount Everest; you can experience the first ascent alongside Tenzing and Edward at Everest: The First Ascent here in London. Opening its doors to the public tomorrow (September 30) in Camden, this mind-blowing VR experience will see you cross remote villages and sacred landscapes, battling increasingly hostile environments the higher you climb.
The experience culminates with you reaching the summit and looking out over the snowy mountains as you reflect on the experience. It’s an unforgettable way to relive one of the greatest human adventures of the 20th century, side by side with two of history’s greatest climbers.
Everest: The First Ascent – An immersive experience in London
22 October 2026 11:00 + more dates
Eclipso Cultural Adventures
