Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

See Iceland from the best possible seat. This helicopter trip packs a glacier landing, volcanic terrain, hot springs, Þingvellir, and Reykjavik views into roughly two hours. I especially like the two landings, which turn this from a sightseeing flight into an active outing, and the small maximum group of six, which gives the experience a private feel. The main drawback is the price: at $953.39 per person, this is a major splurge, and poor weather can cancel the flight.

The route also gives you something a bus tour cannot: fast access to remote ground that would otherwise demand a long hike or drive. Pilots named Laura, Oliver, and Tasha have been praised for their calm handling, clear explanations, and friendly manner. Still, you should know that the helicopter can feel tight, especially in the rear seats, and strong wind on the glacier may make standing difficult.

The five details that matter most

• A glacier landing at Þórisjökull: Get out, walk on the snow, take photos, and make snow angels or snowballs.
• A second landing at Hengill: See hot springs and boiling mud pots close to a volcanic valley.
• A flight over Iceland’s big sights: The route includes Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir, Lake Þingvallavatn, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, Hallgrímskirkja, lava fields, and farmland.
• A small group of up to six: The intimate cabin and rotating front seat give each passenger a good chance to see beside the pilot.
• A weather-dependent plan: Wind and cloud can change the route, delay departure, or cancel the activity.
• A very high price: The value comes from saving hours of driving and hiking while reaching places that are hard to visit in one day.

Starting at Reykjavik Domestic Airport

Your meeting point is Ace FBO at Reykjavik Airport, not Keflavík International Airport. That distinction matters. Reykjavik Domestic Airport sits close to the city, but the airport setting can still be confusing if you are rushing, so allow time to find the FBO and check in.

The tour begins with a welcome from the pilot and a direct flight over Reykjavik and its surroundings. The total flight and landing experience lasts about one hour and 40 minutes to two hours, though exact timing depends on conditions and the route chosen that day.

The cabin is small, which helps create the VIP-style feel, but it also limits personal space. One account describes four people sitting in the rear as cramped, especially for passengers taller than 1.80 meters. The two landings may allow passengers to rotate seats, giving each person a chance to sit beside the pilot at some point.

That is a useful feature, since the front seat usually gives the clearest forward view. If photography matters to you, ask about seat rotation before takeoff rather than assuming you will remain in one position.

Flying over Glymur and Iceland’s changing ground

The first part of the route heads toward Þórisjökull glacier and passes over Glymur waterfall. At roughly 198 meters, Glymur is one of Iceland’s highest waterfalls. From the air, you see the scale of the gorge and the water’s position in the wider terrain without committing to the demanding hike required to reach the waterfall on foot.

This is one of the tour’s strongest points. The helicopter does not simply take you to a landing site and turn around. The flight itself becomes a moving view of waterfalls, farmland, lava fields, craters, and open volcanic ground.

The route can change. Pilots have adjusted flights to include a recent eruption site or other features when conditions allow. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat every sight on the stated route as guaranteed. Weather, wind, cloud, and operational decisions all affect what you see.

Þórisjökull glacier: fifteen minutes on the ice

The first landing is at Þórisjökull, a broad glacier area where you can leave the helicopter for about 15 minutes. This is not a long glacier expedition. It is a brief, memorable stop for photos, fresh air, snow play, and a close look at Iceland’s frozen interior.

You may have time to:

• Walk around the landing area
• Throw snowballs
• Make a snow angel
• Try building a small snowman
• Take group and scenery photos
• Simply enjoy the silence and views

The short stop works well because the helicopter saves you hours of hiking. You get the feel of standing on a glacier without needing technical equipment or a full-day trek.

The practical catch is wind. A glacier can be cold and exposed, and one account describes conditions so strong that standing securely became difficult. Wear warm clothing and shoes with a firm grip. The tour information does not promise specialized glacier gear, so do not arrive dressed only for a mild city walk.

The snow may also vary by season and weather. The landing is on a glacier, but the exact surface and visibility are not fixed. If clouds cover the area, the visual reward will be reduced, and poor conditions may lead to a cancellation instead.

Þingvellir from above

After the glacier, the flight passes over Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s most important historic and geological sites. Þingvellir was the meeting place of Iceland’s early parliament and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the helicopter, you can see Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake, along with the canyon and visible divide associated with the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. This aerial view gives you a different sense of the area than the standard walking paths. From above, the cracks, ridges, water, and broad lines of the valley fit together in one view.

The benefit is perspective. The drawback is time. You are seeing Þingvellir from the air rather than exploring it on foot, so you will not get the same close look at the trails, historic meeting site, or rock formations. If Þingvellir is a major priority for you, treat this flight as an excellent overview, not a replacement for a ground visit.

This part of the route also helps connect the trip’s two themes. You move from ice to tectonic movement, then on to geothermal heat. That makes the name Fire and Ice feel accurate rather than decorative.

Hengill geothermal area: the fire half

The second landing is in the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for Hengill volcano. The remote valley is described as reachable by helicopter or a hike, which explains the value of landing there by air.

You can walk toward hot springs and observe boiling mud pots from close range. The setting is stark and unusual, with steam, volcanic ground, and geothermal activity creating a sharp contrast to the glacier stop. You have about 15 minutes on the ground here, enough for photos and a short look around, but not enough for a long walk through the valley.

Stay alert around hot ground. The tour information says you can walk toward and observe the features, but it does not promise a guided geothermal walk or extended exploration. Follow the pilot’s instructions and remain in the permitted area.

This stop is often the emotional high point of the trip because it feels remote and inaccessible. You are not looking at geothermal activity from a roadside platform. You are standing in a valley reached by helicopter, with hot springs and mud pots nearby.

Still, the experience is weather-sensitive. Cloud can block views, and wind can affect both the flight and the comfort of the landing. A clear day gives you the strongest contrast between the dark volcanic ground, steam, and surrounding hills.

Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður on the return

The return flight includes views of Reykjavik, including Hallgrímskirkja, the city’s famous church. Seeing the church from the air helps you place Reykjavik within the surrounding open country rather than viewing it only as an urban center.

You may also get a glimpse of Mount Esja, the prominent mountain range north of the capital, and Hvalfjörður, the popular Whale Fjord. The route can also reveal centuries-old lava flows, farmland, craters, and broad volcanic fields.

A good pilot adds value here by pointing out what you are seeing and positioning the helicopter for views from different sides. Pilots such as Laura, Oliver, and Tasha have been praised for their explanations, patience, and steady handling in strong wind.

The helicopter windows are your viewing frame, so glare and seat position matter. The pilot may move the aircraft to give passengers better views, but each person will not necessarily have the same angle at every moment. This is another reason the small group and possible seat rotation matter.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

This is expensive, even by Iceland standards. At $953.39 per person, the tour costs far more than a bus trip around the Golden Circle or a standard day outing from Reykjavik.

The value comes from what you are buying: two remote landings, no long drive, no glacier hike, a small group, and a chance to see several parts of Iceland in less than two hours. If your time in Iceland is short, or you want a special experience for a birthday, proposal, honeymoon, or once-in-a-lifetime trip, the cost may feel justified.

You are also paying for access. Þórisjökull and the Hengill valley are not ordinary city excursions. Reaching both by road and foot would take much longer and require more planning. The helicopter puts them into one compact outing.

I would not recommend this as a casual add-on for every Iceland itinerary. If you are already booking several costly activities, the price may be hard to defend. But if this is your one major splurge, the combination of glacier, volcano, geothermal activity, and aerial views gives you more variety than most short excursions.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. Icelandic wind is not a minor detail. It can delay a flight, change the route, make a landing uncomfortable, or prevent the tour from operating.

If poor weather cancels the activity, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of passengers is not reached. One reported cancellation involved a substitute flight and an unsatisfactory refund discussion, although the full amount was later refunded. For that reason, confirm exactly which flight you are boarding before takeoff if staff offer a change.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund under the stated policy.

The tour is offered in English, includes an English-speaking guide, and accepts mobile tickets. The group maximum is six people. The stated passenger weight limit is 265 pounds per person, so check this requirement carefully when booking.

Food and drinks are not included. The activity ends back at the Reykjavik meeting point, and you arrange your own way there. Public transportation is nearby, while taxis can also reach the airport from central Reykjavik.

Who will enjoy this helicopter flight?

I would choose this tour if you want maximum scenery with minimum time on the road. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value privacy and want more than a city sightseeing flight.

It is particularly good for:

• First-time helicopter passengers who want a memorable introduction
• Families whose children will enjoy snow and geothermal sights
• Photographers who want aerial views and two ground stops
• Couples seeking a special occasion experience
• Visitors with limited time in Reykjavik
• People who do not want to spend hours hiking to remote areas

I would hesitate if you dislike small aircraft, need generous legroom, or want a relaxed, long visit at each site. The landings last about 15 minutes each, and the cabin can feel tight in the rear. I would also avoid placing this activity at the very end of a fixed itinerary, since weather may force a change.

Should you book the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

Book it if you want a high-cost, high-impact introduction to Iceland’s ice, volcanoes, geothermal ground, and open country. The two landings make it far more memorable than a simple scenic flight, and the small group helps the experience feel personal.

Skip it if $953.39 would strain your budget or if you prefer slow, ground-level exploration. For everyone else, this is one of the most efficient ways to reach a glacier and Hengill’s hot springs in the same outing. Just build in weather flexibility, dress for wind, confirm the meeting point at Reykjavik Domestic Airport, and keep your expectations realistic about tight seating and brief landing times.

FAQ

Where does the Fire and Ice helicopter tour start?

It starts at Ace FBO, Reykjavik Airport, Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour and 40 minutes to two hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is six passengers.

How many helicopter landings are included?

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

How long do you spend at each landing?

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

What can you do at the glacier landing?

You can walk around, take photos, play in the snow, throw snowballs, make a snow angel, or try building a snowman.

What can you see at Hengill?

You can observe hot springs and boiling mud pots in the remote geothermal area near Hengill volcano.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. If the minimum number of passengers is not reached, you will also be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.