From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

See Iceland where roads cannot reach. This two-hour flight from Reykjavik combines a glacier landing with a stop at the steaming Hengill Geothermal Area, giving you snow, volcanoes, waterfalls, tectonic scenery, and hot mud pools in one compact trip. I especially like the small group size, limited to six people, and the chance to walk on remote ground rather than simply view it through a helicopter window. The main drawback is simple: at $931 per person, this is a major splurge.

I also like the clear variety of the route. You fly past Mount Esja and Glymur Waterfall, cross Þingvellir National Park, and land in two places that would take far more time and effort to reach on foot. Weather can change the plan, though, and both landings depend on safe flying conditions.

The five details that matter most

• Two rare landings: Walk on a glacier, then explore a geothermal valley near Hengill volcano.
• Only six passengers: A small cabin makes it easier to see, hear the pilot, and take photos.
• Glymur from above: You avoid the long hike while getting a high view of Iceland’s famous waterfall.
• Þingvellir from the air: See the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• A serious price: At $931, the value comes from access and time saved, not from cheap sightseeing.
• Weather controls the day: The glacier and geothermal landings may change or be canceled for safety.

Taking off from Reykjavik Domestic Airport

You meet at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. This is not a large airport tour with a busload of people. The group is capped at six, which gives the flight a more personal feel and helps everyone get a useful view from the helicopter.

The route begins with roughly ten minutes over the capital region before heading toward Mount Esja. From the air, Reykjavik gives you a quick sense of how compact the capital is compared with the open country around it. Then the city gives way to mountains, valleys, water, and broad volcanic terrain.

The pilot is also your guide. Previous flights have been led by pilots including Oliver, Thomas, and Laura, with passengers praising their calm safety briefings, clear explanations, and friendly manner. That matters on a helicopter flight. You want someone who explains what you are seeing without turning every minute into a lecture.

The helicopter itself has been described as comfortable and well maintained. The flight is smooth when conditions cooperate, but you should still think about motion, noise, and limited space. If you are uneasy about helicopters, the professional safety briefing and small group can help, but this remains an aircraft experience rather than a quiet sightseeing ride.

Glymur Waterfall and Mount Esja from above

The route passes Mount Esja and Glymur Waterfall before reaching the glacier. Glymur was once known as Iceland’s highest waterfall, and it remains one of the country’s most dramatic sights. Reaching it on foot requires a hike, while this flight gives you a broad view without spending much of your day on a trail.

That time-saving point is one of the tour’s strongest features. You get the waterfall, mountain views, and glacier approach in a short flight, rather than choosing one long hike and losing the rest of the day.

The helicopter perspective also changes familiar scenery. From a road, you see mountains as walls beside you. From above, you can understand the shape of valleys, the sweep of ice, and the way water cuts through the land. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole flight staring at a screen. Some of the best views pass quickly.

The glacier landing and thirty minutes on the ice

The first landing is on a glacier described as Þórisjökull. The route details also identify the glacier area as Langjökull, so you may see both names used when checking the trip information. The key point is the same: you land on high snow and ice in a place that is difficult to reach without aircraft support.

You get about thirty minutes on the glacier. That is enough time to walk around, take photos, throw snowballs, make a snow angel, or simply enjoy the quiet. You are not joining a technical glacier trek, and the experience is not presented as a long guided ice expedition. It is a brief, accessible landing that lets you set foot on a remote frozen surface.

This stop is likely to be the emotional high point for many people. The views are wide and uncluttered, and the silence can feel striking after the sound of the helicopter. One passenger compared the untouched snow and ice to a scene from Dune. That is a useful way to picture the setting: stark, open, and almost unreal.

You should dress for cold conditions even if the day feels mild in Reykjavik. The glacier will be colder, and weather can shift quickly. Warm layers, gloves, sturdy footwear, and protection for your phone or camera make sense. The supplied information does not list special clothing, so you should not assume that equipment is provided.

A glacier landing also has limits. You cannot control the exact landing spot or guarantee the length of the stop if conditions change. All landings depend on weather and safety, so the glacier portion may be adjusted or omitted if the pilot decides it is not safe.

Þingvellir National Park and the visible rift

After the glacier, the helicopter flies toward Þingvellir National Park. This is one of Iceland’s most important places for both nature and national history. Iceland’s oldest existing parliament was established here, and the park is part of the Golden Circle.

From above, you can see the canyon connected with the meeting of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The divide is not a neat cartoon line on the ground, but the rift zone is visible as a dramatic break in the terrain. You also look across Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake.

This part of the flight gives useful context to the rest of the journey. You have just seen ice formed in a high mountain setting, and now you are looking at land shaped by enormous geological forces. The pilot can point out the rift, the lake, and the park’s historic setting while you cover a large amount of ground in minutes.

There is no extended landing at Þingvellir. You see it from the helicopter, so you will not walk through the park or spend time at its usual viewpoints. If Þingvellir is a major priority for you, a separate ground visit will provide more time. Here, the benefit is the bird’s-eye view and the efficient connection between the glacier and Hengill.

Hengill’s steam, mud, and volcanic ground

The second landing takes place at the Hengill Geothermal Area, near Hengill volcano. The remote valley can be reached by hiking or helicopter, and the flight gives you access without the long walk.

You have about thirty minutes to walk toward hot springs and boiling mud pots. Steam rises from the ground, and the earth can show unusual rust-red, yellow, and gray colors. This is a very different experience from the glacier. Instead of snow and silence, you get heat, vapor, bubbling mud, and the feeling that the ground is still active beneath your feet.

Stay close to the directions given by the pilot or guide. Boiling vents and hot mud are not props for a photograph. The information provided says you can observe them up close, but it does not promise a marked walking route or any particular feature on every departure.

The contrast between the two stops is what gives the tour its name and its value. You see ice first, then geothermal heat. One place feels frozen and still. The other shows Iceland’s volcanic power in motion. It is hard to create that contrast on a standard road tour in only two hours.

Some flights have also seen wildlife near the geothermal landing, including four wild big horn sheep during one March trip. You should treat that as a lucky possibility, not a planned part of the experience.

The flight home and what two hours really buys you

After Hengill, the helicopter returns toward Reykjavik, with about ten minutes of sightseeing before arriving back at ACE FBO. The published flight segments add up to a quick-moving route: capital views, Mount Esja, Glymur, the glacier, Þingvellir, Hengill, and Reykjavik.

The two-hour duration is short, but it does not feel like a quick loop around town. You spend around thirty minutes at each landing, and the remaining time connects several major sights. The real purchase is access. You are not paying only for transport; you are paying to reach a glacier and remote geothermal valley without spending most of a day hiking or driving.

That does not make the price easy to swallow. At $931 per person, a couple is spending $1,862 before any food or drinks. You should compare this with other priorities in your Iceland budget. If you would rather spend that money on several road trips, hot pools, or a longer glacier outing, this tour may feel excessive.

For a special occasion, a short Iceland visit, or a person who values rare access above quantity, the calculation changes. The flight combines scenery, transport, a guide, and two landings in a tight schedule. Several passengers described it as the highlight of their Iceland trip, while even enthusiastic comments regularly acknowledged the high cost.

Who will get the most from this flight

I think this suits you best if you want a major experience without committing to a long hike or full-day excursion. It is also a strong choice if you care about photography, especially mountain views, ice, steam, and broad aerial perspectives.

Families can enjoy it too. One family had a great time with two children, but you should consider how your children handle aircraft noise, cold, and short walks on uneven ground. The group size helps keep the outing manageable, but the tour is still an active outdoor experience.

It also suits you if you are nervous about helicopters but curious enough to try. One passenger who felt very anxious before the flight found the experience comfortable and would book again. A clear safety briefing and a calm pilot make a difference, though no operator can remove every concern.

You may want to skip it if you dislike flying, need a guaranteed itinerary, or prefer slow visits at each sight. You also need to be aware of the weight rule: if you weigh over 120 kilograms, you must book an additional seat.

Practical planning before you book

The tour requires at least four passengers to operate. That means your reservation is not the only factor controlling departure, and you should keep your wider schedule flexible even though free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.

You can reserve now and pay later, which is helpful when Iceland weather is part of the planning problem. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

The tour is conducted in English, with an English-speaking live guide and an English audio guide. Food and drinks are not included, and the total duration is two hours, so you do not need to plan a full meal around the flight. Still, bring water and a small snack if you need them, since no refreshments are supplied.

Weather is the most important practical issue. The helicopter may fly while one landing changes, or the entire trip may need adjustment. Do not book this as the only nonrefundable centerpiece of a tightly packed itinerary. Give yourself room to move it if possible.

Is the $931 price worth it?

For ordinary sightseeing, no. You can see parts of Reykjavik, Þingvellir, Glymur, and the Golden Circle for much less by road. You can also find less expensive helicopter flights that do not include two landings.

For rare access, the price becomes easier to defend. You get a small group, a professional pilot-guide, a glacier landing, a geothermal landing, and aerial views that would require several separate outings from the ground. The strongest praise focuses on the scenery, the smooth operation, the pilots, and the chance to step into places that are difficult to reach.

My advice is to ask yourself one question: would you regret missing the glacier and geothermal landing more than you would regret spending the money? If the answer is yes, this is the kind of Iceland experience worth prioritizing. If the answer is no, save the money for a longer ground itinerary.

Should you book the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

You should book it if you want a compact, high-impact experience and can comfortably absorb the cost. The glacier and Hengill landings give you two very different sides of Iceland, while the aerial route adds Glymur, Mount Esja, Þingvellir, and Reykjavik without a full day in a vehicle.

I would not book it blindly. Confirm the weather forecast, understand that landings are never guaranteed, and leave room in your schedule in case conditions force a change. If the price fits your trip and you value access over budget travel, this is a memorable choice. If $931 would make the rest of your Iceland visit feel pinched, choose ground-based touring instead.

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 the two landing stops.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

Where does the helicopter land?

The tour includes a landing on the Þórisjökull glacier and a landing at the Hengill Geothermal Area. The route information also identifies the glacier area as Langjökull.

How much time do you spend at each landing?

The planned itinerary allows about thirty minutes at the glacier and thirty minutes at Hengill.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and audio guide are in English.

Can the landings change because of weather?

Yes. All landings depend on weather conditions and safety considerations. A minimum of four passengers is also required for the flight to operate.