Landmarks from Above: Helicopter tour with 3 Landings

A helicopter is the only practical way to connect Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Landmannalaugar, and Háifoss in one half-day without spending most of your day on Iceland’s roads. You’ll trade a long bus ride for wide views of glaciers, volcanic craters, black coastlines, canyons, and brightly colored mountain slopes.

I like two things here: the tiny group, capped at five people, and the chance to land in remote places instead of merely looking down at them. The geothermal bath at Landmannalaugar gives the flight a real sense of place. The main caution is the price, $1,736.40 per person, plus the fact that weather can change the route or cancel the outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three weather-dependent landings: The tour includes three landings, though the exact stops can change with conditions.
• A one-hour geothermal bath: Landmannalaugar is not just a photo stop. You may have time to soak in a remote geothermal pool.
• A group of no more than five: This keeps the flight personal and makes it easier to see the scenery from your seat.
• A fast route through southern Iceland: You can cover major sights in about three to three hours and 40 minutes.
• Aerial views of places roads do not easily connect: Þórsmörk, Eyjafjallajökull, colorful highlands, and Háifoss are part of the route.
• Weather controls the day: Icelandic wind and cloud may affect landings, the route, or the entire departure.

Why this helicopter route makes sense in Reykjavik

Iceland is compact on a map but slow to cross by road. The Golden Circle alone can fill much of a day, and Landmannalaugar sits far beyond the normal city sightseeing circuit. This flight links both areas with the southern highlands in a single outing.

You start at Ace FBO Reykjavík, beside Reykjavik Airport. The tour lasts about three hours to three hours and 40 minutes, including the flight and stops. That timing matters if your stay is short or if you want to fit this into a larger Iceland schedule.

The helicopter also changes what you see. On the ground, Thingvellir is a national park, Gullfoss is a waterfall, and Landmannalaugar is a highland area. From above, you see how they relate to one another: rift valleys, lakes, glaciers, volcanic terrain, and waterfalls spread across a much larger setting.

This is not a cheap substitute for a bus tour. It is a premium way to cover more ground and reach places that are hard to combine by road. The value depends on your priorities. If you want the lowest-cost introduction to the Golden Circle, this is not it. If you have limited time and care most about access, views, and a small group, the high price may make sense.

Thingvellir, where geology and parliament meet

The first major stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for two very different reasons: Iceland’s oldest parliament was established here, and the area displays a dramatic geological rift.

You’ll have a chance to see Iceland’s largest lake, Þingvallavatn, and the broad open ground around the historic assembly site. The setting helps explain why this place matters. It was not simply chosen for scenery. Icelanders gathered here for lawmaking and public decisions, linking the country’s political story to its unusual geology.

A landing at Thingvellir is weather dependent and is listed as lasting about 20 minutes. That is enough time for a short look and photographs, but not a full park visit. You should think of this as a sharp, useful introduction rather than a substitute for spending half a day walking the national park.

The helicopter view is especially useful here. From the air, the shape of the rift and the scale of the lake become easier to understand. On the ground, the historic site can feel spread out. From above, its position within Iceland’s wider terrain becomes clear.

Gullfoss and the geothermal power of the Golden Circle

The route also includes Gullfoss, the famous two-tier waterfall of the Golden Circle. The water drops through a narrow gorge, creating the powerful, bright scene that draws visitors from Reykjavik.

You are not promised a long walk beside the falls. This is primarily an aerial visit, with the exact landing plan controlled by weather and operating conditions. That makes the view the main event. You’ll see the waterfall as part of the river system and surrounding countryside, rather than only from the usual overlook.

The itinerary also refers to the Geysir hot springs and a power plant that uses geothermal energy. The water shooting skyward at the geothermal area gives you a quick look at Iceland’s volcanic force, while the power plant points to the practical side of that heat. Iceland’s geothermal resources are not only scenic. They help supply energy.

The wording for this part of the route is less precise than for Landmannalaugar, so you should confirm with the operator which sights receive a landing and which are viewed from the air. That is a sensible question before paying a premium fare.

Flying through Þórsmörk and past Eyjafjallajökull

The flight continues into southern Iceland’s highlands, including views between the glaciers of Þórsmörk. This area is known for steep valleys and difficult-to-reach terrain, making it one of the places where a helicopter offers a clear advantage over a standard road tour.

You’ll also fly toward Eyjafjallajökull, the glacier-covered volcano whose 2010 eruption disrupted air traffic across Europe. Seeing the volcano from above adds useful context to that event. It is not just a name from the news. It is part of a large volcanic system surrounded by glaciers, rivers, and rugged valleys.

The route then follows waterfalls dropping from the mountains toward the black coast and volcanic islands. This is one of the strongest parts of the flight for scenery because the views keep changing. Ice, rock, water, and dark coastal ground appear in the same sweep.

The benefit is variety. The drawback is that a helicopter window gives you limited time to take in each view. You may find yourself choosing between watching the scenery and trying to photograph it. I would watch first and treat photographs as a bonus.

Landmannalaugar and the remote geothermal bath

Landmannalaugar is the emotional center of the trip. Its mountains are known for unusual colors, with red, yellow, green, and dark volcanic tones appearing across the highland slopes. From the helicopter, you can take in the scale and pattern of the area far faster than on foot.

The special feature here is the geothermal bath. The stop is listed as lasting about one hour, and the plan is to land in or near Landmannalaugar if conditions allow. You’ll have the chance to soak in warm geothermal water surrounded by remote Icelandic scenery.

That changes the nature of the tour. Many helicopter flights offer a landing, a few photographs, and a quick departure. Here, the bath provides time to stop moving and enjoy the place. It is the most distinctive part of the outing, and it gives you a physical connection to the highlands rather than only a visual one.

Do not treat the bath as guaranteed in every condition. The landing and route depend on weather, and the plan may change. Food and drinks are not included, so bring anything you need for the outing according to the operator’s guidance. The supplied details do not specify changing facilities, towels, or swimwear arrangements, so ask about those before departure.

Háifoss and the extra landing question

Háifoss, or High Waterfall, is another major sight on the route. Water drops from the highlands into a deep gorge, and the setting is best appreciated from above. A flyover is planned, with a landing around the area if weather permits.

This is where the published details need careful reading. The tour title and inclusions describe three landings, while the route mentions possible landings at Thingvellir, Landmannalaugar, and near Háifoss. Another section describes two landings, and the overview refers to two landings before describing the geothermal bath.

That inconsistency does not necessarily mean the trip will fall short. It may reflect alternate landing plans or different ways of counting the geothermal stop. Still, I would ask GlacierHeli to confirm the expected three landing locations before booking. Weather can change the plan, but you should know the normal plan.

A small group with a personal feel

The maximum group size is five people. That is a meaningful advantage at this price. A large group can make a premium flight feel like a queue with a view. Five people gives the guide and pilot more room to communicate directly and helps keep the outing personal.

The included guide speaks English. The available information identifies Freddy as a helpful contact during booking and Mario as the pilot praised for being a gentleman and good with the group. Those details matter because a flight like this depends on calm communication. You want clear instructions at the airport, during landings, and around the geothermal bath.

The helicopter itself creates practical limits. The total passenger weight limit is 265 pounds per person. This should be checked before booking, especially if you are close to that limit or are traveling with bulky clothing and equipment.

Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The activity begins and ends at Ace FBO Reykjavík, Reykjavík Airport. No hotel pickup is listed, so plan to get yourself to the airport meeting point.

What $1,736.40 buys you

At $1,736.40 per person, this is one of the most expensive sightseeing activities you can book from Reykjavik. You are paying for private aviation, a very small group, and access to several areas that take much longer to reach overland.

The strongest value comes from time. A road-based visit to Thingvellir, Gullfoss, and Geysir is easy to arrange, but adding Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Eyjafjallajökull, and Háifoss would require much more planning and driving. The helicopter lets you see those places in one concentrated outing.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want Gullfoss and Thingvellir. Those sights are available on much cheaper Golden Circle tours. It also may not suit you if you prefer long walks, museum time, or a slow look at one region.

I would compare the cost with your whole Iceland budget. For a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, the remote landing and bath are the parts that make this more than a scenic flight. For a family or group paying several fares, the price rises quickly, and the weather risk becomes more important.

Weather, cancellations, and planning

Good weather is required. Wind, cloud, and visibility can affect the route and landing sites. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local Iceland time.

I would avoid placing this flight on the same day as an important international departure. The tour normally lasts under four hours, but mountain weather can alter plans. It is smarter to schedule it early in your Reykjavik stay if you have room to move it to another day.

The experience is booked about 57 days ahead on average, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it most to you if you have a short stay in Reykjavik, want a small group, and care more about access than cost. It is also a strong match for photographers, aviation fans, and anyone who wants to see Iceland’s volcanic highlands without spending long hours on rough or remote roads.

The flight suits an active sightseeing day, but not necessarily a physically demanding one. The main effort is getting to the meeting point, handling the flight, and taking part in the geothermal bath. The supplied information does not give a full accessibility assessment, so ask the operator about mobility needs before booking.

I would be more cautious if your Iceland plans already include a full Golden Circle day and a separate highland visit. In that case, this flight may repeat some sights, though the aerial angle and landings would still make it different.

Should you book Landmarks from Above?

Book it if the idea of landing among Iceland’s colorful highlands and soaking in a remote geothermal bath appeals to you more than saving money. The flight packs an impressive range of sights into roughly half a day, and the group size is excellent.

Skip it if $1,736.40 would strain your trip budget, or if you want extended time at each waterfall and park. Before paying, ask GlacierHeli to confirm the exact three landing locations, the bath arrangements, and the plan for poor weather.

For the right person, this is not simply a faster Golden Circle tour. It is a high-cost way to reach the parts of Iceland that are hardest to combine, with Landmannalaugar and the geothermal stop providing the strongest reason to go.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

The tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík, located at Reykjavík Airport in Reykjavik.

Where does the activity finish?

It ends back at the same meeting point at Reykjavík Airport.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours to three hours and 40 minutes.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to a maximum of five participants.

How many landings are included?

Three landings are included, though the exact locations depend on weather and the final operating plan.

Is Landmannalaugar included?

Yes. The route flies over Landmannalaugar, and the plan includes a landing there if weather permits.

Is a geothermal bath part of the tour?

Yes. The Landmannalaugar stop includes the chance to use a secluded geothermal bath and lasts about one hour.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.