Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

The best part of this Fire and Ice helicopter tour is not simply flying over Iceland. It is stepping out twice: first onto Þórisjökull glacier, then beside the hot springs and boiling mud pots of Hengill. In roughly two hours, you get snow, volcano country, waterfalls, tectonic rifts, and Reykjavik views without spending a full day on the road.

I like the small maximum group of six, which makes the flight feel personal rather than like a quick sightseeing loop. I also like the two landings, since you are not stuck behind glass for the whole experience. Pilots including Laura, Oliver, and Tasha have been praised for making passengers feel safe and pointing out the scenery clearly.

The main caution is the price: $953.39 per person is a major splurge. Weather can also change the plan, and the glacier landing may be windy or hard to walk on. If cloudy skies hide the glacier or geothermal valley, the experience loses much of its appeal.

Key points at a glance

• Two outdoor landings: Spend about 15 minutes at Þórisjökull and another 15 minutes in the Hengill geothermal area.
• A wide Reykjavik route: Look for Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir, Lake Þingvallavatn, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, Hallgrímskirkja, lava fields, and volcanic craters.
• Small group format: The tour accepts no more than six people, though the helicopter can feel tight when full.
• Pilots make a difference: Laura, Oliver, and Tasha are noted for friendly briefings, steady flying, and helpful commentary.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and strong wind can make the glacier stop uncomfortable.
• Best for a special occasion: The cost makes sense mainly if you value speed, access, and a memorable view more than a low-cost day out.

Leaving Reykjavik Domestic Airport

The tour begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. This is close to central Reykjavik, but allow extra time to find the correct airport building. One useful practical point is that the meeting place can be confusing inside the airport, especially if you arrive by taxi and assume every terminal area works the same way.

The welcome is designed to feel more private than a standard coach tour. You meet the pilot, receive the flight briefing, and board a small helicopter for a route that combines famous sights with places difficult to reach by car. English is the listed tour language.

The full flight and stops take about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours. That makes this a compact way to see a great deal of southwest Iceland, though every minute depends on weather, flying conditions, and the exact route used that day.

The helicopter holds a maximum of six people. That limit is good news for views and personal attention, but do not picture a roomy cabin. A full aircraft can feel cramped, particularly for taller passengers seated in the back. The tour has a passenger weight limit of 265 pounds per person.

Glymur waterfall from the air

Soon after takeoff, the route heads toward Þórisjökull and passes Glymur, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. From above, you get a view that hiking visitors cannot easily match. The waterfall drops through a steep gorge, and the helicopter gives you a broad sense of the surrounding terrain rather than only the narrow view from a trail.

This is also where the pilot’s skill matters. The helicopter can adjust its position so people on different sides have a chance to see and photograph key sights. Do not expect every passenger to have the same view at every moment, but the small cabin and pilot commentary help make the flight more than a simple point-to-point transfer.

Bring a phone or camera with a secure grip. You will be looking down through the windows, dealing with reflections, and moving between bright snow and darker volcanic ground. The views are the reason to book, so keep your equipment simple enough that you do not spend the flight fumbling with it.

Þórisjökull glacier landing

The first landing is on Þórisjökull glacier. You get about 15 minutes on the ice, enough time for photographs, a few steps across the snow, and the sort of playful moment that is hard to arrange on a normal sightseeing day. Snowballs and snow angels are part of the fun, especially for families.

The glacier stop is valuable because it turns a distant white peak into a real place beneath your boots. You can pause, look across the high country, and feel the cold air instead of viewing the glacier through a coach window. It is a quick stop, not a glacier hike, so keep your expectations realistic.

Conditions can be rough. Strong wind has made it difficult for some people to stand comfortably, and snow can be uneven underfoot. Wear warm clothing and shoes with a firm sole. The tour information does not promise special glacier gear, food, or drinks, so dress as if you will be standing outside in exposed Icelandic weather.

If the weather is poor, the glacier may be hidden or the landing may be changed. One reported experience ended without seeing the glacier because low cloud blocked the view, which is a reminder that this tour depends heavily on visibility. The company policy allows a new date or a full refund when poor weather cancels the activity.

Þingvellir and the continental divide

After leaving the glacier, the helicopter flies toward Þingvellir National Park, part of the Golden Circle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the air, you can see the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates, as well as the broad waters of Iceland’s largest lake, Lake Þingvallavatn.

Þingvellir matters for two reasons. It is tied to the early Icelandic parliament, and it shows the country’s geology in a way that is easy to understand from above. The canyon and cracks in the ground are much clearer from the air than they can be from a busy roadside viewpoint.

This section gives the tour its wider sense of place. You are not simply chasing one dramatic waterfall or hot spring. You are seeing how the lake, rift, lava fields, farmland, and mountain country fit together. The flight is brief, but the aerial view helps connect several stops that would otherwise require separate drives.

You will not get a full ground visit to Þingvellir on this tour. There is no scheduled walk through the parliament site or along the rift. If Þingvellir is a top priority for you, add a separate land visit on another day rather than treating this flight as a replacement.

Hengill’s hot springs and mud pots

The second landing takes place in the Hengill Geothermal Area. Hengill is a volcanic region with a remote valley that can be reached by hiking or helicopter. Here, the appeal is different from the glacier. Instead of snow and open cold, you get hot springs, steaming ground, and boiling mud pots.

You spend about 15 minutes on the ground. That is enough for photographs and a close look at the geothermal activity, but it is not a long walk or bathing visit. The important distinction is safety: you can approach and observe the hot features, but this is not presented as a hot-spring swim.

The stop shows Iceland’s fire and ice theme in a direct way. On one landing you are standing on a glacier. On the next, you are beside heat rising from the earth. That contrast is the strongest reason to choose this particular helicopter route over a shorter city flight.

Stay close to the pilot’s instructions. Boiling mud and hot ground are not places for casual wandering. The area is remote, and the stop is short, so listen carefully before leaving the helicopter and keep your camera ready.

Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður

The return flight brings a different set of views. Depending on the route and conditions, you may see Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður. These sights add a useful city-and-coast finish after the glacier and volcanic valley.

Hallgrímskirkja is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable buildings. Seeing its tall shape from the air gives you a quick sense of how the capital sits between the sea and the mountains. Mount Esja provides the rugged northern backdrop, while Hvalfjörður shows the long, curved form of one of Iceland’s well-known fjords.

The route may also pass over lava fields, craters, farmland, and older volcanic flows. These views are not named as formal stops, but they help fill out the flight. A good pilot can point out details that you might otherwise miss, especially when the ground below changes from green fields to black rock and then to snow.

The aircraft may circle or adjust position for better views. That is useful for photography, although you should not assume every person will get an identical window angle. Changing seats is sometimes possible between the two landings, and one flight arrangement allowed each person a turn in the front seat beside the pilot.

Pilot skill and the small-cabin experience

The pilot is central to this tour. Laura, Oliver, and Tasha are all singled out in the supplied feedback for friendly service, clear explanations, and calm handling in windy conditions. Those qualities matter more here than they would on a basic city transfer because the route includes landings on exposed ground.

A confident pilot also helps first-time helicopter passengers relax. If this is your first flight in a helicopter, you can expect scenery, engine noise, changing views, and a cabin that feels more compact than a commercial aircraft. The strongest experiences come when the pilot explains what you are seeing and positions the helicopter so the group gets useful views.

There is a tradeoff to the small aircraft. Six people is a small tour group, but not necessarily a spacious flight. Taller passengers may find the rear seating uncomfortable, and four people in the back can feel close together. If personal space is important to you, ask the operator about the seating arrangement before paying.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

At $953.39 per person, this is an expensive activity by any normal Iceland standard. The value comes from combining several hard-to-reach sights in less than two hours. You avoid long drives, do not need to arrange a glacier hike and geothermal visit separately, and get access to a remote Hengill valley that usually requires a hike or helicopter.

The price is easier to justify for a special occasion, a short Reykjavik stay, or a group that wants maximum scenery with minimum road time. It is less convincing if you have several days in Iceland and enjoy driving. A rental car or Golden Circle day tour will cover Þingvellir and other sights at a much lower cost, though neither will reproduce the two landings or the aerial view.

Ask yourself what you are buying. You are not buying a full-day expedition, a meal, a long glacier walk, or a spa visit. You are buying access, speed, a small group, and a memorable contrast between ice and geothermal heat. If those are your priorities, the price can feel worthwhile. If you mainly want to see Þingvellir or a waterfall, cheaper options are available.

Food and drinks are not included. The tour is short, so plan around it rather than expecting a meal during the flight.

Weather, cancellations, and booking timing

This experience requires good weather. Wind, cloud, and poor visibility can affect the route, the landing, or whether the trip runs at all. Iceland’s weather can change quickly, so keep some flexibility in your schedule if this is an important part of your holiday.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy. If the operator cancels because of weather or because the minimum number of passengers is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The activity is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 53 days. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful warning for peak-season planning. If you have only one day available in Reykjavik, book early and avoid placing the tour on the final day of your trip.

Who should book the Fire and Ice flight?

I would choose this for a first visit to Iceland when you want a concentrated burst of scenery and do not mind paying for it. It suits couples marking a special trip, families who would rather not spend hours in a car, and anyone excited by both glaciers and geothermal ground.

It also suits people who enjoy photography but want more than city views. You get waterfalls, snow, volcanic features, lake country, the tectonic divide, Reykjavik landmarks, and coastal scenery in one short outing.

I would hesitate if you dislike small aircraft, need generous legroom, or want a relaxed amount of time at each stop. Fifteen minutes at the glacier and 15 minutes at Hengill goes quickly. I would also avoid booking it as the only major activity on a rigid schedule, since weather can force a change.

Final verdict: a costly but memorable shortcut across Iceland

The Fire and Ice helicopter tour earns its appeal through contrast. You fly past Glymur, land on Þórisjökull, cross Þingvellir and its tectonic rift, then step out beside Hengill’s hot springs and boiling mud pots. Few short excursions put such different Icelandic features together so efficiently.

The cost is high, the cabin may feel tight, and weather can spoil the planned views. Still, if you want a small-group flight with two landings and you value time as much as money, I would book it. If your budget is limited or you have several days for road trips, save the money for a longer ground-based tour.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

It starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík, at Reykjavik Domestic Airport in Reykjavik.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the same meeting point at Reykjavik Domestic Airport.

How long does the experience take?

The total duration is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of six participants.

How many landings are included?

Two landings are included: one at Þórisjökull glacier and one in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

How long is each landing?

The scheduled time is about 15 minutes at Þórisjökull and about 15 minutes at Hengill.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking guide and pilot are included.

What sights might I see from the helicopter?

The route may include Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Lake Þingvallavatn, Hallgrímskirkja, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, lava fields, craters, and farmland.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded under the stated policy.