Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

The most unusual part of this Reykjavik helicopter ride is the contrast: one landing puts you on the cold, open surface of Þórisjökull glacier, and the next takes you to hot springs and boiling mud pots in the Hengill volcanic area. You get two very different sides of Iceland without spending a day on the road.

I like the small maximum group of six, which keeps the outing personal and gives each person a better chance at a good view. I also like the two landings, especially the 15 minutes on the glacier for snowballs, photos, and snow angels. The main drawback is the price, $953.39 per person, and the flight can be changed or canceled by strong Icelandic weather.

At a glance

• Two remote landings: Step onto Þórisjökull glacier, then stop near hot springs and boiling mud pots in Hengill.
• Aerial Golden Circle views: Look down on Þingvellir National Park, Lake Þingvallavatn, and the visible divide between the North American and Eurasian plates.
• Glymur from above: The route crosses Iceland’s famous waterfall, offering a view that would otherwise require a separate excursion.
• Small aircraft experience: The group limit is six, and the flight lasts about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.
• Pilot-led sightseeing: Your English-speaking pilot points out Reykjavik, Hallgrímskirkja, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, lava fields, and other sights along the route.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can force a rescheduled flight or a full refund, while a minimum group size is also required.

Two Icelandic worlds in one flight

This is not simply a sightseeing flight around Reykjavik. The appeal is the pair of landings. You first get ice and snow, then volcanic heat and steam. That sharp change gives the trip its name and its point.

From your seat, Iceland looks less like a collection of separate day trips and more like one connected volcanic island. Waterfalls feed valleys, glaciers sit above old lava flows, and geothermal heat rises through ground that can look quiet from the air.

The helicopter also solves a practical problem. Reaching a glacier and a remote geothermal valley by land can take much longer, and some areas are reached only by a hike or by helicopter. Here, you see major sights on the way and still have time to get out at both landing sites.

That convenience comes at a steep cost. At $953.39 per person, this is a special-occasion splurge, not a budget substitute for the Golden Circle. I would consider it most carefully if your time in Iceland is short, you want a private-feeling experience, or you are unlikely to take several separate excursions.

Starting at Reykjavik Domestic Airport

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. The airport is close to central Reykjavik and can be reached by taxi from downtown, but allow time to find the exact aviation facility. One person had trouble locating the starting point inside the airport, so do not assume the terminal layout will be obvious.

The experience begins with a pilot greeting and a short wait before departure. The operator has been praised for a comfortable welcome area with sofas and hot drinks, though food and drinks are not included as part of the tour itself.

The group limit is six people. That matters in a helicopter, where space is tight and every seat affects the view. A small group also makes it easier for the pilot to explain what you are seeing and help with photographs.

The aircraft is not a roomy tour bus in the sky. One account described four people in the rear as very cramped, particularly for people taller than 1.80 meters. The front seat beside the pilot is the best viewing position, and the two landings may allow people to rotate seats. Confirm the seating plan when you arrive rather than assuming everyone will have the front place for the whole flight.

Flying over Glymur waterfall

The route heads toward Þórisjökull glacier and crosses the area around Glymur, Iceland’s famous waterfall. From above, you get a broader sense of the falls and the surrounding terrain than you would from a ground viewpoint.

This is one of the tour’s useful time-saving features. Glymur is not a quick roadside stop. Seeing it from the helicopter gives you a taste of the area without turning the outing into a separate hike.

The aerial view also helps you understand the scale of Iceland’s scenery. A waterfall that looks like the main event from the ground becomes one piece of a much larger scene from the air. Your pilot may make adjustments for views and photographs, but the exact route depends on flying conditions.

Þórisjökull glacier: 15 minutes on the ice

The first landing is on Þórisjökull, where you have about 15 minutes to leave the helicopter, walk around, and take photographs. You do not need to spend hours hiking to reach this high, open setting.

The activities are simple and wonderfully unpolished. Throw snowballs, make a snow angel, try a small snowman, or just look across the glacier. The short stop is enough to give you the feel of standing on the ice, though it is not a glacier trek or a technical glacier excursion.

Expect wind and cold. One flight had strong enough wind that standing securely on the glacier was difficult. Wear warm clothing and shoes that give you firm footing. The tour information does not promise special glacier equipment, so plan to arrive dressed for exposed conditions.

This stop is especially good for families and first-time visitors to Iceland. Children can enjoy the snow without a long approach, while adults get the photographs and the sense of scale. If you want a serious glacier walk, this is not that. It is a short, memorable landing with time to explore on your own.

Þingvellir from the air

After the glacier, the helicopter passes over Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s most important cultural and geological sites. Þingvellir is associated with the country’s historic parliament and is also known for the visible separation between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

From above, the cracks, cliffs, and broad waters of the area make more sense. You can look down toward Iceland’s largest lake, Lake Þingvallavatn, and see how the land has been pulled apart by geological forces.

A ground visit lets you walk through the park and spend more time with its history. The helicopter gives you something different: a fast, clear view of the park’s shape and scale. If you already plan to drive the Golden Circle, this aerial pass will not replace that visit, but it can add a fresh angle.

The views here depend strongly on cloud and visibility. On a clear day, this may be one of the strongest sightseeing sections of the route. In low cloud, the geological details can be harder to see, which is one reason the operator keeps weather control over the flight.

Hengill geothermal area: 15 minutes beside volcanic heat

The second landing is in the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for the Hengill volcano. This remote valley contains hot springs and boiling mud pots, and the area can be reached only by helicopter or by hiking.

You get about 15 minutes on the ground. The stop is short, but it brings you close to Iceland’s active underground heat. You can walk toward the hot pools and mud pots for a closer look, take photographs, and notice the strange contrast between steaming ground and the cool open air.

Stay close to the instructions given by your pilot. Boiling mud and hot water are not harmless photo props, and the tour’s appeal comes from seeing the area safely rather than wandering wherever you like.

The Hengill landing balances the glacier stop well. The glacier is wide, cold, and quiet. Hengill feels more concentrated and active, with heat coming through the ground. If you have visited Iceland’s larger geothermal sights by road, this stop may feel more remote and personal because the helicopter takes you into a valley that is not part of an ordinary sightseeing circuit.

The return route over Reykjavik and beyond

The return flight includes views of Reykjavik and Hallgrímskirkja, the city’s famous church. You may also see Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, old lava flows, farmland, craters, and other volcanic features.

The route can change. One flight was adjusted to include a recent eruption site, while another crossed centuries-old lava. You should treat these sights as possible highlights rather than fixed promises. The pilot decides what is practical and safe on the day.

That flexibility is a plus when conditions and current volcanic activity allow it. It also means you should not book this flight expecting every photograph on the promotional route. The two landings are the core of the experience, while the passing views can vary.

The helicopter often shifts position to give people a better look at sights outside the landing schedule. This is useful in a small aircraft, where a slight change in angle can make the difference between a clear photograph and a view blocked by another passenger or the aircraft frame.

Pilot skill matters here

A helicopter tour depends heavily on the pilot. The pilots on this experience have been praised for calm handling in strong wind, clear explanations, and a friendly manner. Named pilots include Laura, Oliver, and Tasha.

That matters most during the landings and in rough weather. A good pilot helps you feel secure, explains the sights without filling every second with talk, and manages the aircraft so people have a chance to see and photograph the scenery.

The pilot also decides whether the glacier and geothermal stops are suitable that day. Weather in Iceland can change quickly, and the fact that a flight is scheduled does not mean the route is guaranteed. This is a safety feature, not a failure of the experience.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

The price is high. For two people, the flight is a major part of an Iceland trip budget. You should not book it simply because it includes sights that can also be visited by car.

The value comes from combining access, time, and scale. You can see Glymur, Þingvellir, Reykjavik, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, a glacier, and a remote geothermal area in roughly two hours. Recreating that mix on the ground would take much longer and require more driving, and Hengill’s remote valley may not be practical without a hike.

I would see the price as more reasonable if you have limited time in Reykjavik, dislike long coach journeys, or want one memorable activity rather than several ordinary sightseeing stops. It is also a strong choice for a birthday, anniversary, or final splurge at the end of a trip.

If your priority is value per hour, choose a road-based Golden Circle tour and spend the difference elsewhere. If your priority is access to places that are hard to reach and a small-group flight with two landings, the cost is easier to defend.

What to know before booking

The total duration is listed at about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours. The two landings are each around 15 minutes, so much of the experience is spent in the air. That is good news if you want broad views, but less ideal if you expect long walks at either site.

A passenger weight limit of 265 pounds is listed. Check how the operator applies this limit when booking, especially if several people in your party are near it.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. You should still be ready for wind, uneven ground, snow, and a short walk around each landing site. Food is not included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. If bad weather cancels the flight, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of passengers is not met, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund.

One important caution: make sure the reason for any cancellation is clearly explained. A flight was once substituted with a much shorter outing when the original trip did not go ahead, leading to a dispute before a full refund was issued. That appears to be an exception, but it is sensible to confirm exactly which tour you are boarding.

Who should book this flight?

I would book it for someone who wants a dramatic first look at Iceland, has only a few days in the country, or wants to avoid spending a full day driving between distant sights. Families can enjoy the glacier snow, and photography-minded visitors get varied subjects in a short time.

It also suits people who prefer a small group to a large coach. The pilot interaction, seat rotation, and ability to see remote ground make the trip feel more personal than a standard city flight.

I would hesitate if you are uncomfortable with cramped seating, need guaranteed clear weather, or want substantial time walking on the glacier and around the geothermal area. The two ground stops are brief, and the helicopter cabin is compact.

Should you book the Fire and Ice tour?

Book it if the glacier and geothermal landing are the main reason you are considering it. Those two stops give you the strongest experience, while the views of Glymur, Þingvellir, Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður fill out the flight.

Skip it if the $953.39 price would make the rest of your Iceland trip stressful. A road tour can cover many major sights for far less. But if this is a once-in-a-trip splurge and the weather cooperates, the mix of snow, volcanic heat, and aerial views offers something a normal Golden Circle drive cannot.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour begin?

It begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport in Reykjavik. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The flight and landings take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of six travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English and includes an English-speaking guide or pilot.

Where does the helicopter land?

It lands at Þórisjökull glacier and in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

How long do you spend at each landing?

The stated time is about 15 minutes at the glacier and about 15 minutes at Hengill.

Can you walk on the glacier?

Yes. At Þórisjökull, you can leave the helicopter, walk around, take photographs, throw snowballs, and make snow angels or a snowman.

What can you see at Hengill?

You can see hot springs and boiling mud pots in the remote Hengill Geothermal Area.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The tour can also be canceled if the minimum number of passengers is not met, with another date, another experience, or a full refund offered.