From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

A glacier landing and a volcanic landing in the same two-hour flight: that is the real draw here. You leave Reykjavik by helicopter, cross Mount Esja and Glymur Waterfall, walk on remote ice, then touch down near Hengill’s steaming geothermal ground.

I like the small group, limited to six people, and the way the flight links several hard-to-reach sights without asking you to spend a day on the road. I also like the generous time on the ground, about 30 minutes at each landing, which gives you time for photos instead of a quick hop out and back. The main drawback is simple: at $931 per person, this is a major splurge, and bad weather can change or cancel either landing.

Key points at a glance

• Two rare landings: Walk on a glacier and stop near Hengill’s hot springs and boiling mud pots.
• Glymur from above: See Iceland’s famed waterfall without spending hours hiking to it.
• Þingvellir from the air: Look down on the national park, its lake, and the visible divide between tectonic plates.
• Six passengers maximum: A small cabin makes it easier to see, hear the pilot, and take photos.
• A polished two-hour route: The flight covers Reykjavik, Mount Esja, Glymur, the glacier, Þingvellir, and Hengill.
• Weather matters: Both landings depend on safety and conditions, so the exact outing can change.

Why this helicopter flight is different

Many Iceland helicopter trips are scenic flights with a brief photo stop. This one is built around two proper landings, and that changes the feel of the day.

At the glacier, you do not just look at a white summit through a window. You step onto snow and ice, make a snow angel, throw a few snowballs, and take in the quiet. At Hengill, you leave the aircraft near hot springs, steaming vents, and boiling mud pots. The contrast is the point: cold ice first, hot volcanic ground later.

The route also makes good use of the air. A road trip around the Golden Circle gives you more time at each main sight, but it cannot take you directly to a remote glacier or an isolated geothermal valley. The helicopter lets you connect places that are far apart on the ground in a short morning or afternoon.

You should think of this as a scenic flight with two outdoor experiences, not as a full Golden Circle tour. You see Þingvellir from above, but you do not get a long walk through the park. You see the region around Glymur, but you do not hike to its base.

Starting at Reykjavik Domestic Airport

You meet at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. This is not the main international airport at Keflavík, so check your transport carefully when planning the day.

The departure point is useful for a city stay because it is close to central Reykjavik. You arrive, meet the pilot and ground staff, receive safety instructions, and board the helicopter. The group limit of six keeps the operation personal, though the aircraft’s seating arrangement means each passenger may have a slightly different view.

The pilots have been praised for clear safety briefings and lively explanations of Iceland’s geology. Names connected with recent flights include Oliver, Thomas, Laura, and Speedy. If you are nervous about helicopters, tell the crew at the start. One particularly anxious passenger found the flight far easier than expected after the pilot explained the procedure clearly.

You get an English-speaking live guide and an English audio guide. The pilot handles both flying and much of the commentary, so the quality of the narration may depend on the person operating your flight. That is part of the charm of a small aviation tour, but it is not the same as having a separate guide dedicated only to sightseeing.

Mount Esja and Glymur from the air

The opening section carries you over the Capital Region and toward Mount Esja. From the air, Reykjavik quickly gives way to broad views of mountains, water, and open ground. This first part helps you see how close the capital is to wild country.

The flight then passes Glymur Waterfall, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. The route allows you to view it without the long hike required on foot. That saves time and effort, especially if your Iceland trip already includes several demanding walks.

A helicopter view also gives you a sense of the waterfall’s setting. From the ground, you focus on the falling water. From above, you can place it within the surrounding valleys and mountain country. The tradeoff is that the stop is a flyover, not a landing, so your view lasts only as long as the aircraft remains in the area.

The listed sightseeing sections over the capital, Mount Esja, and Glymur each take about 10 minutes. Those minutes add up to a satisfying opening flight, but you should not expect long hovering stops at every point.

The first landing: snow and silence on the glacier

The glacier landing is the emotional center of the tour for many people. The promotional description calls it Þórisjökull, while the route details identify the glacier section as Langjökull. Either way, the experience is a high-altitude landing on snow and ice, subject to weather and safe operating conditions.

You get roughly 30 minutes on the ground. That is enough time to walk around the landing area, take photos, make snowballs, or simply enjoy the cold air and quiet. You may find untouched snow and broad views that feel far removed from Reykjavik.

The glacier stop is especially useful if you want an ice experience but do not want to commit to a full glacier hike. You save the approach walk and the long drive. Still, do not confuse this with a technical glacier trek. The supplied information describes walking, photos, and free time, not guided climbing or crampon work.

Dress for the landing, not for the city. Even if Reykjavik feels mild, the glacier can be cold and windy. Warm layers, sturdy footwear, gloves, and a hat are sensible. The exact conditions will vary, and the operator makes the final call on the landing.

The snow also creates the best photo contrast of the day. You have the helicopter, the white ice, and dark volcanic mountains in one frame. Bring enough phone storage and battery power. You will likely take more photos than you expect.

Þingvellir from a new angle

After the glacier, the helicopter heads toward Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s Golden Circle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You do not land here, but the aerial view gives you a useful sense of the park’s shape and scale.

Þingvellir matters for two reasons. It is tied to the early Icelandic parliament, and it is famous for the visible geological divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. From above, you can see the canyon and fractures more clearly than from a single viewpoint on the ground.

The route also passes Iceland’s largest lake. The combination of lake, fissures, historical meeting place, and volcanic ground makes this one of the more informative stretches of the flight. The pilot’s explanation helps connect what you see with Iceland’s past and geology.

The tour allows about 15 minutes of aerial sightseeing over Þingvellir. That is enough for a broad introduction, not enough for the walking paths, church, or detailed historic sites. If Þingvellir is high on your list, plan a separate land visit on another day or choose a conventional Golden Circle outing instead.

The second landing: Hengill’s hot ground

The Hengill Geothermal Area provides the tour’s sharpest contrast with the glacier. The helicopter lands in a remote valley associated with Mount Hengill, a volcanic area that can be reached by helicopter or hike.

You get another 30-minute stop. Expect hot springs, steaming ground, and boiling mud pots within walking distance of the landing area. The colors around geothermal ground can include rusty reds, yellows, and grays, with steam rising from the vents. The scene feels stark and unusual rather than conventionally pretty.

Keep your attention on where you walk. The provided information specifically notes boiling mud pots and hot ground, so stay with the guide and follow instructions. This is not a place for wandering wherever you like or stepping close to a vent for a better photo.

The geothermal stop also brings a little wildlife possibility. One account noted seeing four wild big-horn sheep near the landing area. That sighting is not guaranteed, but it shows how remote the valley can feel.

I like the order of the two landings. The glacier gives you open space and silence. Hengill gives you steam, color, and the sense that the earth is active beneath your feet. Together they explain the tour’s fire-and-ice theme far better than a title alone.

What two hours really gives you

The published timing adds up to a brisk but well-planned circuit:

• About 10 minutes over the Capital Region
• About 10 minutes around Mount Esja
• About 10 minutes near Glymur Waterfall
• About 30 minutes on the glacier
• About 15 minutes over Þingvellir
• About 30 minutes at Hengill
• About 10 minutes returning to Reykjavik

That leaves little spare time for delays or extended hovering. Helicopter tours depend on wind, cloud, visibility, and safe landing conditions. The route may be adjusted, and the operator can change a landing if conditions make it unsafe.

The short format is also a strength. You can fit the flight into a busy Reykjavik schedule, leaving time for dinner, a lagoon, or another city activity. It is not an all-day commitment, though you should avoid booking something immediately afterward if timing matters.

At least four passengers are required for the flight to operate. That is important if you are booking as a couple or solo. Your reservation may need to be matched with other passengers, and a departure could be affected if the minimum is not met.

Is $931 worth it?

At $931 per person, this is among the most expensive activities you can book in Iceland. The price includes the helicopter ride and both landings, but not food or drinks.

The value comes from access, not just transport. A normal road tour can take you to Þingvellir and other Golden Circle sights, but it cannot put you on a remote glacier and then near Hengill’s geothermal vents in the same short outing. A glacier hike or private helicopter charter could cost more and take longer.

Still, the price will not make sense for everyone. If your budget is tight, Iceland has excellent low-cost scenery along roads, trails, and public viewpoints. You can see Þingvellir, Glymur, and geothermal areas without spending nearly this much, though you will need more time and cannot duplicate the landings.

I would consider the tour good value for a special occasion, a short Iceland visit, or anyone who places a high value on rare access. It is harder to justify if you are staying in Iceland for several weeks and already plan glacier walks, highland trips, and geothermal excursions.

Passengers above 120 kilograms must book an additional seat. That is a practical cost detail to settle before booking.

Who should book this experience?

This suits you if you want a compact, high-impact introduction to Iceland’s geology. It is also a strong choice if you are traveling with children who can follow safety instructions, since the snow stop offers simple fun without a long hike.

It works well for photographers, too. You get aerial views, glacier scenes, geothermal colors, and changing perspectives across the route. Just remember that helicopter windows, reflections, and limited time can make photography less predictable than standing at a viewpoint.

You should think twice if you dislike flying, need a guaranteed itinerary, or want long walks at each attraction. The flight is smooth for many people, but it remains a helicopter ride with noise, movement, and weather limits.

This is not the right replacement for a full Golden Circle day. It is a concentrated aerial sampler, with two rare outdoor landings added.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour lasts two hours and operates in a small group of no more than six participants. English is the tour language, with both a live guide and an English audio guide included.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check available start times because the schedule changes by day.

Wear warm outdoor clothing and shoes suitable for walking on snow and uneven ground. Bring water and anything you need during the two hours, since food and drinks are not included.

Most important, keep your plans flexible. Both landings depend on weather and safety. A clear Reykjavik morning does not guarantee clear conditions over the glacier or Hengill.

Should you book the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

Book it if you want one memorable splurge that combines a glacier landing, a volcanic landing, and wide aerial views in just two hours. The glacier and Hengill stops are the parts that justify the price, while Þingvellir, Mount Esja, Glymur, and Reykjavik add context from above.

Skip it if $931 would force you to cut essential parts of your trip, or if you prefer slow walks and long visits at each site. But if this fits your budget and the idea of stepping from snow onto geothermal ground sounds irresistible, this is the sort of Iceland memory that is hard to duplicate.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

You meet at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts two hours, including the flight and both landings.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to six participants.

What language is the tour provided in?

The live tour guide and audio guide are in English.

Where does the helicopter land?

The tour includes one landing on a glacier identified in the description as Þórisjökull, with the route details referring to the glacier section as Langjökull, and a second landing at the Hengill Geothermal Area.

How long do you spend at each landing?

You have about 30 minutes at the glacier and about 30 minutes at Hengill.

What can you see at Hengill?

You can see hot springs, steaming ground, and boiling mud pots near the landing area.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

All landings depend on weather conditions and safety considerations. The operator may change the landing plans when conditions require it.