ATV & Helicopter Adventure Tour from Reykjavik

The best thing about this tour is the change of viewpoint. You start with mud, mountain tracks, and your hands on the throttle, then trade the ATV for a helicopter and see Reykjavik, lava fields, and nearby mountains from above. I like that the two activities fit into one morning, and I like the 20-minute mountain landing, when conditions allow. The main caution is weather: wind or low visibility can shorten or cancel the flight.

I also like the careful setup for beginners. Safari Quads supplies the riding gear and safety briefing, and guides such as Damos and Hanna have been singled out for friendly, capable service. The one-hour ATV ride may feel short once you find your rhythm, and the $489 price is high, so this makes the most sense if you want two major activities without giving up a full day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different Iceland views: Ride off-road trails near Reykjavik, then see the city, mountains, lava fields, and possibly the Blue Lagoon area from a helicopter.
• A summit landing is part of the plan: The helicopter stops on a mountain for about 20 minutes so you can step out and take in the view, weather permitting.
• Good for first-time ATV riders: No previous experience is required, and the guide provides instruction before you set off.
• The morning runs on a tight schedule: Pickup is listed for 9:00 am, with the tour start around 9:30 am, followed by a transfer to the helicopter base.
• The flight depends heavily on conditions: Wind has shortened one flight, while another weather cancellation led to a refund.
• Bring a valid driver’s license if you drive: A passenger can be as young as six, but drivers must meet the license requirement.

One morning, two very different Iceland experiences

This is a smart choice for a short Reykjavik stay. Instead of spending one day on an ATV outing and another on a helicopter flight, you combine both in roughly five hours. You get action on the ground and broad views from the air, with the afternoon still open for the city, a museum, or a quiet meal.

The tradeoff is depth. The ATV portion lasts about one hour, and the helicopter portion is promoted as a Reykjavik Summit flight with a mountain landing. That is enough time to sample both, but not enough for a long off-road ride or a full sightseeing flight across the region. I would think of this as a strong sampler, not a full-day expedition.

The tour has a maximum of 15 participants. That keeps the group from becoming unwieldy, though the ATV and helicopter portions may involve separate operating arrangements. Safari Quads handles the ground ride and transfer to the helicopter company, Norðurflug Tours operates the flight.

Getting from central Reykjavik to the ATV base

Pickup is scheduled for 9:00 am, and you should be ready at your assigned Reykjavik bus stop at that time. The vehicle may take up to 30 minutes to arrive, so do not plan a tight breakfast or appointment immediately afterward.

Central Reykjavik has designated no-pickup zones. If your hotel sits in one of those areas, you will need to walk to the nearest approved bus stop, usually a two to five minute walk. This is easy enough, but it matters on a cold or wet morning, especially if you are carrying a small bag.

The published start time is 9:30 am, while pickup begins at 9:00 am. Treat 9:00 as your real start time. The included transport covers pickup by Safari Quads and the transfer from the ATV base to the helicopter base. After the helicopter ride, transport back to your hotel is not included. The helicopter airport is in downtown Reykjavik, and you can take a taxi from there.

Getting suited up for the one-hour ATV ride

At the quad bike base, you receive a safety briefing and driving instruction. You do not need previous ATV experience, which makes this a reasonable option for a first ride. You do need a valid driver’s license if you plan to drive rather than ride as a passenger.

The supplied gear is a practical plus. It includes a helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear. Iceland can turn a pleasant morning into a cold, wet one quickly, and proper outer layers make a real difference when you are moving through exposed country on a quad bike.

The tour offers a choice between a single rider and a shared rider option. The shared option requires at least two adults per booking. The single rider option requires one adult per booking. The price is per person, so check the selected option carefully before paying.

There is also a total weight limit of 265 pounds per passenger. The minimum age for a passenger is six. The details do not state a separate minimum age for driving, so if a younger member of your group wants to drive, ask the operator before booking.

ATV trails with Reykjavik in the distance

Once the briefing is over, you head across the countryside and up toward the mountains. The appeal is not a technical driving challenge. It is the mix of open views, rough tracks, and the simple pleasure of controlling your own pace within the guide’s instructions.

The route gives you views across the Reykjavik area that are difficult to get from city streets. You may encounter mud, water, and rough off-road sections. That is part of the fun, but it also means you should not wear anything you hope to keep spotless. The provided overalls help, yet practical clothing underneath is still wise.

I would rate the ATV section as beginner-friendly rather than extreme. The guide focuses on safety and helps the group get comfortable. That makes it suitable for couples, families with older children riding as passengers, and anyone who wants a taste of off-road driving without signing up for a demanding full-day excursion.

The limitation is time. Several riders have found that the hour passes just as they begin to settle into the ride. If your main goal is extended ATV driving, book a longer quad tour instead. If you want a brisk outdoor activity before a scenic flight, the hour works well.

The transfer that connects both halves

After the ATV ride, Safari Quads transfers you to the helicopter base. This handoff is important because the two activities are operated by different companies. Make sure you know that the transfer is supposed to go to the helicopter base, not back to your hotel.

There has been at least one reported mix-up in which a driver began returning a group to its hotel, requiring a reminder about the helicopter connection. That appears to be an exception rather than the intended plan, but it is a useful practical tip: confirm the next stop with the driver before leaving the ATV base.

The schedule leaves little room for delay. Pickup, instruction, riding, gear return, transfer, check-in, and flight operations all need to fit into the morning. Keep your phone available and avoid booking another fixed activity too soon afterward.

Reykjavik from the helicopter

The second half changes the mood completely. From the air, you can see Reykjavik and the surrounding mountain ranges in one wide sweep. Depending on the route and weather, the flight may also pass over lava fields, the Blue Lagoon area, and a recent volcanic site. Those views show how quickly the built-up city gives way to raw volcanic ground.

The advertised highlight is a mountain landing lasting about 20 minutes. Getting out of the helicopter gives you a chance to stop, look around, and feel the scale of Iceland rather than simply watching it through a window. In good weather, this is likely to be the most memorable part of the morning.

Conditions matter more here than on the ATV ride. Strong wind can make a landing unsafe or shorten the flight. One flight was reduced to roughly 20 minutes because of poor conditions, with a brief stop near a lake and little spoken explanation from the pilot. That is a fair concern at this price. If the flight is shortened, ask the operator what adjustment or refund options apply.

On a clear day, the experience can be much stronger. A flight over Reykjavik, lava fields, a volcanic area, and a mountain or lava-field landing gives you a quick but striking picture of the region. The pilot may provide information during the flight, but the amount of narration can vary, so do not book this solely for a guided geography lesson.

What the $489 price really buys you

At $489 per person, this is not a budget activity. You are paying for two premium experiences, specialist equipment, guides, transport between the activities, and the convenience of doing everything in one morning.

The value improves if your Reykjavik stay is short. You save the time and planning involved in arranging two separate bookings, and you gain two distinct ways to see the area. For a once-only Iceland visit, that variety has real value.

The price is harder to justify if you already have several sightseeing tours planned, or if you care much more about one activity than the other. An ATV fan may find one hour too brief. A helicopter enthusiast may prefer a longer flight with more time in the air. This package works best for someone who wants a sampler and values convenience.

Weather risk also affects the calculation. The helicopter is the expensive and more fragile half of the plan. If poor weather cancels it, a different date or full refund is offered. If you have a very short stay and cannot move the booking, the possibility of losing the flight is worth considering before you reserve.

Who should book this combo

I would recommend it to:

• First-time ATV riders who want instruction and supplied equipment
• Couples who want an active morning with a special occasion feel
• Families with children aged six or older who will ride as passengers
• People staying in Reykjavik for only a few days
• Anyone who wants city views, volcanic scenery, and mountain views without committing to a full-day tour

I would be more cautious if you dislike wind, mud, or riding in changeable weather. I would also choose a different tour if your priority is a long, serious ATV route or a detailed helicopter sightseeing flight.

The tour is not designed around food, so eat beforehand or plan a meal afterward. Food and drinks are not included. Also remember that the helicopter company does not provide transport back to your hotel, so allow money and time for a taxi from the downtown helicopter airport.

Weather, safety, and the small details that matter

Safety is taken seriously during the quad bike portion. You receive a briefing, protective clothing, and guidance before riding. Alcohol and drugs are not tolerated, and the operator can refuse participation under those conditions.

The helicopter portion follows Icelandic weather realities. Wind may change the route, shorten the flight, delay the landing, or cancel the experience. That is frustrating when you have paid a high price, but a weather-based cancellation is preferable to an unsafe flight. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. I would book early for popular dates, since this experience is commonly reserved well ahead of time, but I would avoid placing it on the final morning of a flight if your schedule cannot absorb a weather change.

Should you book the ATV and helicopter tour?

Book it if you want a compact, high-impact morning and can accept the price and weather risk. The ATV ride gives you an active start, while the helicopter adds the rare chance to land on a mountain and look back across Reykjavik from above. Guides such as Damos and Hanna have helped make the ground portion feel friendly and well managed.

Skip it if you want long ATV time, a guaranteed flight length, or a lower-cost way to see the city. The one-hour ride can leave you wanting more, and poor weather can affect the helicopter portion in ways the operator cannot control.

For a short Reykjavik visit, I think the combination makes sense. It gives you two very different views of Iceland in half a day, then leaves the rest of your schedule free. Just treat the 9:00 pickup, the downtown return, the driver’s license rule, and the weather policy as part of the decision, not as small footnotes.

FAQ

How long does the ATV and helicopter tour last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. It includes a one-hour ATV adventure and a Reykjavik Summit helicopter tour.

What time is pickup?

Pickup is scheduled for 9:00 am. You must be ready at your designated Reykjavik bus stop, and pickup can take up to 30 minutes. The listed tour start time is 9:30 am.

Do I need ATV driving experience?

No. Previous experience is not required, and instruction and a safety briefing are provided before the ride.

What equipment is included?

The tour provides a helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear. A professional guide is also included.

Can children participate?

The minimum age for a passenger is six. Anyone driving the quad bike must have a valid driver’s license.

What happens if the helicopter flight is canceled because of weather?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time.