With the rapid advancements in VR technology, virtual tours have become increasingly immersive and realistic, transporting users to far-flung corners of the world. From scaling the heights of Mount Everest to wandering the empty streets of major cities during the pandemic lockdowns, VR tours offer a tantalizing glimpse of places many may never get to visit in person.

This article will highlight some of the best virtual reality tours currently available, showcasing the incredible potential of this emerging technology to transform how we discover and engage with the world around us.

How did we select the best VR Tours?

• It was important to include VR tours that will take you to multiple iconic locations around the world, such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, and Machu Picchu in Peru.
• We chose immersive VR tours that use advanced techniques like 360° video and photogrammetry to create realistic 3D environments.
• VR tours go beyond just passive viewing and include interactive elements were prioritized. For example, you could be able to explore a museum exhibit up close, interact with virtual characters, or even take on photography challenges. Interactive tours make you feel more engaged and present in the virtual world.
• For the most convenient and portable VR experience, we made sure to choose tours that are optimized for standalone headsets like the Meta Quest 2. These don’t require a powerful gaming PC or complicated setup, so you can just put on the headset and start exploring.

Escape Now: The Icons

Escape Now: The Icons is a VR experience that guides users through the fascinating stories behind some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and cultural sites. Created by the acclaimed VR filmmaker Tarik Mohamed, this experience is accessible on the Oculus Rift as well as the Oculus Go/Gear VR platforms.

In Escape Now: The Icons, users can virtually explore and delve into the history and significance of renowned locations like the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Giza, and the Eiffel Tower. The goal is to offer an immersive and educational VR journey, allowing users to feel as though they are physically present at these iconic destinations. The VR experience is lauded for its top-notch visuals, captivating storytelling, and its ability to transport users to distant locations worldwide.

Escape Now: The Icons provides a unique opportunity for people to virtually explore and appreciate some of the world’s most famous cultural and architectural wonders. Moreover, the developers are actively working on bringing Escape Now: The Icons to the standalone Oculus Quest platform, with an expected release by the end of 2024.

National Geographic Explore VR

National Geographic Explore VR is an immersive virtual reality experience that lets users explore two of the world’s most iconic locations – Antarctica and Machu Picchu. In this app, players take on the role of a National Geographic photographer on a mission to capture stunning photographs for the magazine.

Your adventure starts in Antarctica, where you embark on an exciting expedition, navigating icebergs and surviving a snowstorm to locate a lost colony of emperor penguins. Then, at Machu Picchu, you’ll immerse yourself in beautiful digital reconstructions of the ancient Inca citadel, experiencing mummy worship rituals and meeting alpacas as you recreate the photos from Hiram Bingham’s rediscovery of the site.

The main focus of the gameplay is using the virtual camera to frame and capture photographs. You can switch between portrait, landscape, and panoramic modes and zoom in and out to get the perfect shot. After returning to your home base, you can review your photos and select which ones to display on the wall. Apart from photography, the app also offers interactive features like placing statues at Machu Picchu and participating in activities such as kayaking and ice climbing in Antarctica. The environments are rendered in high-quality 3D graphics, fully immersing you in these extraordinary locations.

Galapagos VR Trip

The ‘Galapagos Adventure’ VR experience invites visitors to discover the archipelago’s breathtaking natural landscapes and diverse wildlife up close. You can find this VR experience at the ‘Marine World’ exhibit on Santa Cruz Island, where you can reserve a spot to embark on a virtual journey through the Galapagos. The VR technology transports participants to the islands, offering a firsthand look at the incredible biodiversity. You will get to see iconic species like giant Galapagos tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and playful sea lions.

The VR experience delivers an exceptional level of detail and realism, creating the sensation of truly being present in this natural wonderland. Apart from the wildlife, the VR tour showcases the Galapagos’ diverse geological features, ranging from rugged volcanic landscapes to pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Participants can fully immerse themselves in the islands’ unique atmosphere and develop a deeper appreciation for this living laboratory that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

The ‘Galapagos Adventure’ VR experience provides a captivating and educational way for visitors to explore this remarkable archipelago without the need for extensive travel. It serves as an ideal option to preview or complement a physical visit to the Galapagos Islands, enabling people to experience the magic of this natural paradise from the comfort of the ‘Marine World’ exhibit.

Everest VR

Everest VR is an immersive virtual reality experience that lets users climb to the summit of Mount Everest. Developed by Sólfar Studios and RVX, the 26-minute documentary film takes viewers on a condensed 52-day journey from Kathmandu up through the Khumbu Valley and to the top of the world’s highest peak.

The 360-degree VR footage offers a realistic and immersive perspective with depth perception that brings famous landmarks, treacherous crevasses, and high-altitude landscapes to life in vivid 3D. The experience includes narration that provides context about the challenges and hazards faced by climbers on the South Col route.

While the gameplay is relatively simple, involving basic interactions like walking, climbing ladders, and reaching for objects, the VR technology creates a powerful sense of presence and danger that makes users feel like they are truly on Everest. The experience is quite short, with each gameplay segment being fairly brief before moving on to the next stage of the climb.

Vatican Virtual Tour

The Vatican VR tour offers you the chance to virtually explore the magnificent history and art of Vatican City from the comfort of your home. With a VR headset, you can be transported back in time to witness key moments in the evolution of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica. The tour will take you through several phases:

• Ancient Rome under Nero, with the Circus Neronis and Christian persecutions
• The first early Christian basilica built by Constantine in 313 AD
• The Sistine Chapel where you will follow Michelangelo and enter the world of his famous frescoes like the Creation of Adam and Last Judgment.

The VR experience brings to life the architecture, art, and history of the Vatican in an immersive and educational way. It provides a new way to learn about and appreciate this iconic site without physically traveling there. The Vatican Museums themselves contain over 70,000 works of art and are among the largest museums in the world. A virtual tour allows you to explore their masterpieces like never before.

Expect to pay around €35-65 for a basic Vatican VR tour, or up to €107 for a more comprehensive package with museum tickets included. Children under 4 are free on most tours.

Ecosphere

‘Ecosphere VR’ is a groundbreaking VR nature documentary series created by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in partnership with PHORIA, Oculus, and Silverback Films. The series immerses viewers in three extraordinary ecosystems: the savannahs of Kenya, the rainforests of Borneo, and the coral reefs of Raja Ampat. Narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Anna Friel, ‘Ecosphere’ allows viewers to encounter elephants, orangutans, and manta rays while learning about the people working to protect these animals and their habitats. The series is available on Oculus Quest and Oculus Go VR headsets and is designed to inform, empower, and inspire action to protect the planet.

Despite some technical issues, such as significant download times and video compression problems, the series is praised for its authentic storytelling and the use of local conservation experts as the focal point of the narrative.

You can experience Ecosphere for free on Meta Quest Store where it has received 4/5 stars.

British Museum VR

The British Museum offers various ways for visitors to explore its extensive collection from home, including VR tours. The museum has partnered with Google to provide virtual tours of over 60 galleries using Google Street View technology. This allows visitors to navigate through the museum’s labyrinthine halls and view highlights such as the Rosetta Stone in the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery.

The museum has trialed more immersive VR experiences, enabling visitors to enter a virtual Bronze Age roundhouse and interact with 3D scans of artifacts. These VR tours are part of the museum’s educational program and have been assessed for their impact on student learning about the Bronze Age.

Moreover, the museum’s Samsung Digital Discovery Centre offers live, interactive virtual workshops for UK school children aged 7-11, covering topics from ancient Egypt to Roman Britain. These workshops utilize the museum’s latest digital technology to enhance students’ historical knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Tokyo Origami VR

Tokyo Origami is an eight-part VR miniseries that offers a unique and immersive look into the diverse culture and experiences of Tokyo, Japan. Created by Cosm, the series features stories that delve into the contrasts and complexities of the city, from its ancient temples and high-tech skyscrapers to its traditions and counterculture.

Each of the eight short episodes in Tokyo Origami presents a different perspective on life in Tokyo, allowing viewers to virtually experience the city through the eyes of local residents. The series is available for free on the Oculus Quest platform, giving users the opportunity to step into the heart of Tokyo and discover its rich tapestry of culture, history, and modern innovation.

The production of Tokyo Origami involved a collaboration between Cosm and local filmmakers, ensuring an authentic and immersive portrayal of the city. Through this partnership, the series aims to transport viewers to the streets of Tokyo, offering a unique and captivating VR experience that showcases the diversity and vibrancy of this iconic metropolis.

By exploring Tokyo through the lens of its residents, Tokyo Origami provides an in-depth look at the various facets of life in the city, capturing both its traditional roots and its modern innovations. Whether it’s wandering through historic temples or navigating the bustling streets lined with neon lights, each episode offers a glimpse into the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Tokyo.

Final Thoughts From VR Today Magazine on the Best VR Tours

With the ability to tailor experiences to individual preferences and interests, virtual tourism is poised to become an integral part of the travel experience in the coming years. The featured VR tours provide immersive experiences that let you explore iconic destinations and natural wonders from the comfort of your home. Investing in a VR headset will help open opportunities for endless exploration, which will not only tame your wanderlust but also offer educational value.