From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

The striking part of this tour is not simply seeing Iceland from above. It is stepping out onto a glacier and a volcanic geothermal valley in the same two-hour flight. You fly from Reykjavik over Glymur waterfall and Þingvellir, then land on Þórisjökull before touching down near Hengill’s hot springs and boiling mud pots.

I like the small group of up to six people, which gives you a better chance at a window view and a less crowded landing. I also like the contrast between silent snow and steaming ground. The main drawback is clear: at $867 per person, this is a major splurge, and the flight needs at least four passengers to operate.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different landings: Walk on the snow and ice of Þórisjökull, then explore the hot, sulfurous world around Mount Hengill.
• Aerial route with real variety: The flight includes Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Þingvallavatn, and the visible divide between North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• Small-group format: The helicopter carries no more than six participants, keeping the experience personal and the views easier to enjoy.
• About two hours from Reykjavik: You leave from ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel, and return to the same point.
• A costly but rare experience: The price buys access to remote places that would otherwise require long hikes, but it will not suit every Iceland budget.
• Weather and numbers matter: At least four passengers are needed for departure, and anyone over 125 kilograms must book an additional seat.

Why this helicopter flight feels different

Iceland already gives you plenty of ways to see ice, volcanoes, and hot springs from the ground. This flight changes the scale. From your seat, the country’s ridges, lakes, waterfalls, and volcanic valleys line up in one broad view. Then the helicopter sets down, and you get time outside rather than only a quick look through glass.

That mix matters. A standard sightseeing flight can feel like a fast visual sweep. Here, you have two separate moments on the ground. At the glacier, you can walk across snow, throw snowballs, make a snow angel, or simply stand still in the cold air. At Hengill, you can approach hot springs and boiling mud pots in a remote valley.

The flight is operated by GlacierHeli and Tourismiceland. Your pilot is also your English-speaking live guide, and an English audio guide is included. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not book this expecting a particular host.

Leaving Reykjavik and heading toward Glymur

Your meeting point is ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. This is a useful location if you are staying in the capital, but the experience does not include food or drinks, and the flight returns to this same airport facility.

The first part of the route takes you toward Þórisjökull Glacier. Along the way, the helicopter flies over Glymur, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. From the air, you avoid the time and effort needed to reach the waterfall on foot, and you get a wider view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The aerial view is a major part of the value here. You are not just crossing from one landing site to another. The route gives you a changing picture of Iceland’s volcanic terrain, with water, rock, snow, and open mountain country appearing in quick succession.

You should keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole flight looking at a screen. Helicopter windows can produce reflections, and the view changes quickly. The most memorable part may be the simple act of looking down at terrain that is difficult to understand from road level.

First landing: snow and silence on Þórisjökull

The first landing is on Þórisjökull, a large glacier west of Þingvellir. The supplied details describe time to walk around, take photos, enjoy the views, and play in the snow. This is not presented as a technical glacier hike, so expect a short, informal visit on the ice rather than a guided mountaineering activity.

That distinction is important. You do not need to arrive expecting ropes, crampons, or a demanding trek. The appeal is access. The helicopter carries you to a remote snowy setting in minutes, saving hours of hiking and giving you time to experience the quiet directly.

You might throw snowballs, build a snowman, or make a snow angel. Those playful details are part of the charm, especially if you are visiting Iceland outside the main winter season and want a close look at snow and ice. You can also keep things simple and use the landing for photographs.

The glacier is likely to be the emotional high point for many people. One account describes walking across untouched snow and ice, with a silence that felt almost unreal. That reaction makes sense: a glacier landing gives you a sense of isolation that an overlook beside a busy road cannot provide.

Still, you should keep your expectations practical. A two-hour tour has to include flight time, two landings, and the return to Reykjavik. Your time on the glacier will be limited, not an afternoon expedition. Conditions can also affect the exact flight route and landing, so the final experience depends on the day.

Flying over Þingvellir and the tectonic rift

After the glacier landing, the helicopter heads toward Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s Golden Circle. From above, you can see Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake, along with the long fissures and valleys that give this area its distinct form.

Þingvellir matters for two reasons. It is tied to Iceland’s early parliamentary history, and it is also a place where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull apart. From the air, the rift is easier to understand as a large geological feature rather than a narrow path or roadside crack.

The flight gives you a useful overview of the area. On a road tour, you see selected viewpoints and walk through particular sections. From the helicopter, you can connect those pieces. You see the lake, the canyon, the mountain edges, and the broad shape of the park in one sweep.

This part of the trip is more about looking than landing. The tour does not include a Þingvellir ground stop, so do not choose it as a substitute for a full Golden Circle day. It gives you an aerial introduction, not time to walk the park or visit its other main sights.

That limitation is also what keeps the tour to about two hours. If you want the classic Golden Circle sights in depth, you will need a separate road trip. If you want a quick, high-level view of Þingvellir as part of a larger aerial route, this flight fits well.

Second landing: Mount Hengill’s hot ground

The second landing takes place in the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for Mount Hengill. The area lies in a remote valley that can be reached by helicopter or hike. Its appeal is the sharp change from frozen glacier to active geothermal ground.

Here, you can walk toward hot springs and boiling mud pots and see steam rising from the earth. The ground is described as streaked with rust-red, yellow, and gray colors, giving the valley a stark, unusual appearance. This is not a polished spa setting. It is a raw geothermal area where the earth looks and behaves very differently from the glacier.

Stay close to the guide and follow instructions around the hot ground. The supplied details specifically describe boiling vents and mud pots, so this is a place for careful looking, not casual wandering. You can take photographs, but the steam and changing conditions may affect visibility.

The contrast between the two landings is the tour’s clever idea. On the glacier, the air is cold and still. At Hengill, steam rises and the ground shows signs of heat below the surface. You do not need a long lecture to understand Iceland’s title as a country of fire and ice. The sequence makes the point physically.

There is also a chance of seeing wildlife in this remote setting. One account describes four large wild sheep near the geothermal landing, apparently unconcerned by the helicopter. That sighting is not guaranteed, but it shows how isolated the valley can feel.

What the small group changes

The tour is limited to six participants. That number matters more on a helicopter flight than it does on a standard bus excursion. You have fewer people moving around the landing area, less competition for the best photo position, and a better chance of hearing the pilot’s explanations.

A small group does not guarantee that every seat has an identical view. Your sightline still depends on the aircraft and your seat. But the format is much more personal than a large sightseeing outing, and the limited capacity helps explain part of the high price.

The tour also requires at least four passengers to operate. That means your booking is subject to the flight reaching the minimum number. Keep your schedule flexible around this experience rather than placing it immediately before an important departure or fixed reservation.

If you weigh over 125 kilograms, you must book an additional seat. This is a practical requirement to handle before payment, not something to sort out at the airport.

Is $867 a fair price?

At $867 per person, this is one of the most expensive activities you can book in Iceland. You are paying for a helicopter, a small group, an experienced pilot, fuel, and access to remote sites that would take considerable time to reach on foot.

The strongest value comes from the two landings. A scenic flight alone might feel too brief for this price. A glacier landing plus a geothermal landing gives you two physical experiences, not just two views from the air. That difference is why the tour can make sense for a special occasion or a once-only Iceland trip.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want photographs from above. Iceland offers many excellent ground-based viewpoints at a much lower cost. You should book this only if stepping onto the glacier and walking near Hengill’s steaming ground matters to you.

The compact duration also affects value. Two hours is efficient, but it is not a full-day outing. You can fit it into a packed Reykjavik schedule, yet the flight may feel short if you want extended time on the ice or a long walk in the geothermal valley.

I would compare the cost with your whole Iceland budget. If $867 would force you to cut several other important activities, skip it. If you have already covered the main road sights and want one rare experience, the two landing sites make this a stronger splurge than a simple flyover.

Who should book this experience?

I would point this tour toward you if you want maximum scenery in limited time. It suits people who enjoy photographs, unusual terrain, and the feeling of reaching places that are awkward to access by road.

It also works well for anyone nervous about long hikes. The helicopter takes you close to the glacier and the remote geothermal valley, so you get the setting without spending hours on a trail. That said, you still need to walk around at both landing sites, and the ground may be uneven or cold.

The flight can suit first-time helicopter passengers, too. One particularly anxious passenger found the experience far less intimidating than expected and would book it again. That does not remove the normal concerns of flying, but it suggests the short format may be manageable for someone who feels unsure.

Families may enjoy the snow play, though the tour data does not specify a minimum age or special child arrangements. Ask the operator directly if you are booking for young children.

I would not choose this as your only introduction to Iceland. It does not include food, a road transfer, or extended time at Þingvellir. Think of it as a focused aerial experience that adds something unusual to a wider trip.

Practical details that affect your decision

The activity lasts about two hours, with starting times available according to the date you choose. It begins and ends at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer as part of the activity, but you do need to reach the meeting point yourself.

English is the stated language. You receive a live English-speaking guide and an English audio guide. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and bring any personal water you need, subject to the operator’s flight rules.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. These policies help with planning, especially because the minimum passenger requirement may affect whether a flight operates.

Dress for outdoor conditions, not just a comfortable aircraft cabin. The glacier landing will be cold, and the geothermal area can feel exposed. The supplied information does not specify clothing or equipment, so confirm any operator requirements before you go.

Should you book the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

Book it if you want the rare combination of a glacier landing, a volcanic geothermal landing, and a sweeping flight over Glymur and Þingvellir. The two stops feel genuinely different, and the small group keeps the experience more personal.

Skip it if the price would make you uncomfortable or if you want a full day exploring the Golden Circle. At $867, this is not a sensible choice for every Iceland itinerary. But if you have the budget and want one high-impact experience that reaches beyond ordinary viewpoints, the glacier silence and Hengill’s steaming ground make a strong case.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

The tour starts at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel at Reykjavik Domestic Airport.

Where does the tour finish?

The helicopter returns to ACE FBO Reykjavik, the same meeting point where the activity begins.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to six participants.

How many passengers are needed for the flight to operate?

A minimum of four passengers is required for the flight to operate.

Where does the helicopter land?

The tour includes a landing on Þórisjökull Glacier and a landing at the Hengill Geothermal Area near Mount Hengill.

Can I walk on the glacier?

The tour includes time to walk around on the glacier, take photographs, enjoy the views, and play in the snow.

What can I see at the Hengill Geothermal Area?

You can see hot springs, boiling mud pots, and steaming geothermal ground in a remote valley.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if I weigh more than 125 kilograms?

If you weigh over 125 kilograms, you must book an additional seat.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live guide and audio guide are in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.