From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

A glacier landing and a volcanic valley landing, packed into two hours, make this one of Iceland’s biggest sightseeing splurges. I like the small group of up to six and the way the flight reaches places that would otherwise demand a long hike. The views begin almost as soon as you leave Reykjavik, with Glymur Waterfall, Þingvellir, and Lake Þingvallavatn below.

I also like that you get real time on the ground, not just a quick flyover. You can walk on Þórisjökull’s snow, then inspect steaming vents and boiling mud pots at Hengill. The drawback is simple: $867 per person is a serious price for two hours, and the flight needs at least four passengers to operate.

Key points to know before you book

• Two very different landings: Step onto the snow and ice of Þórisjökull, then visit the hot, steaming ground of Hengill.
• Aerial route with famous sights: The flight passes Glymur Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Lake Þingvallavatn, and the visible divide between tectonic plates.
• Small aircraft, small group: A maximum of six people gives you a better chance at a clear window view and a less crowded landing.
• High price, rare access: You are paying for time saved, a private-feeling flight, and access to remote places that require serious hiking by land.
• Weather matters: Helicopter routes and landings depend on safe flying conditions, so keep your schedule flexible.
• Weight rule: If you weigh more than 125 kilograms, you need to book an additional seat.

Why this helicopter flight feels different from a standard sightseeing tour

Many Iceland excursions put you on a bus, then ask you to share a famous waterfall or geothermal site with a crowd. This one changes the pace. You leave from ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel, and within minutes you are looking down on the city and open country from a helicopter seat.

The flight is not simply transportation to the glacier. The route itself is part of the show. You pass over Glymur Waterfall, once known as Iceland’s highest waterfall, and see the surrounding cliffs from an angle hikers cannot get. From above, the waterfall and its valley make far more sense as one large sweep of rock, water, and open space.

The aircraft carries no more than six participants. That matters in a helicopter. You are not packed into a large cabin, and the small group keeps the landings from feeling like a mass outing. Everyone has a better chance of taking photographs, though the exact view from each seat can vary.

An English-speaking pilot leads the trip, and an English audio guide is included. The supplied information does not name individual pilots, so do not book expecting a particular guide. Your pilot welcomes you at the airport, explains the flight, and points out sights along the route.

Flying over Glymur and toward Þórisjökull

The first major stretch carries you toward Þórisjökull Glacier. On the way, look down for Glymur and the valleys around it. From the air, you avoid the hours of walking needed to reach remote viewpoints, leaving more time for the two landings.

The glacier is not presented as a quick photo stop from the helicopter door. You land on the snow and get out to walk around, take pictures, throw snowballs, or simply enjoy the quiet. Depending on conditions, you might build a snow angel or a small snowman. Those simple activities help turn a sightseeing flight into something you physically take part in.

The appeal here is not only the white view. It is the feeling of standing in a place that is hard to reach by ordinary transport. The cold, clean air and broad mountain views give you a clear change from Reykjavik’s streets and cafés.

You should dress for cold conditions even if the day feels mild in town. The tour information does not provide a detailed clothing list, but a glacier landing plainly calls for warm layers and practical footwear. You may only be outside for a short period, yet wind and cold can make a difference quickly.

The glacier stop also has limits. You should not treat it as a glacier hike or technical ice expedition. The activity includes a landing and time to walk around, but it does not list crampons, a glacier guide, or a longer trek. If your goal is serious glacier travel, choose a dedicated glacier activity instead.

Þingvellir from the air, where plates pull apart

After the glacier, the helicopter heads toward Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s Golden Circle. From above, you can see the fissure and canyon linked to the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The land here records the slow movement of the plates in a way that is easier to understand from the air.

Þingvellir also carries major political importance. It was the birthplace of the world’s oldest existing parliament, giving the park more weight than a pretty stop on a sightseeing route. From the helicopter, you can connect the visible cracks in the earth with the place where Icelandic assemblies met.

The route also gives you views of Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake. From above, the water adds scale to the park and the surrounding mountains. You do not stop here, so think of Þingvellir as an aerial viewing section rather than a full national park visit.

That distinction matters if you have never seen Þingvellir. A road tour lets you walk along the fissures, read signs, and spend longer at the viewpoints. This flight gives you a larger picture and includes the glacier and Hengill in the same morning or afternoon. You gain range, but you give up time on foot.

Landing at Hengill’s hot and unsettled ground

The second landing takes you to the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for Mount Hengill. The remote valley can be reached by helicopter or by hiking, and the helicopter saves you the effort and time of the hike.

Here the scenery changes sharply. At Þórisjökull, you have snow, ice, and cold air. At Hengill, you find hot springs, steaming ground, and boiling mud pots. You can walk toward these features and observe them up close, though you should follow the pilot’s instructions carefully around unstable or hot ground.

The mud pots can show rust-red, yellow, and gray colors, with steam lifting around the valley. Those details make the stop feel less like a standard viewpoint and more like a visit to an active earth system. The ground is not just scenic. It is hot, changing, and potentially dangerous outside marked or approved areas.

The helicopter landing itself can add to the drama. One reported flight even included a view close to an erupting volcano, but an eruption is not a promised part of this tour. Conditions and volcanic activity change, so book this for the glacier and geothermal valley, not for a guaranteed eruption sighting.

You might also see wildlife in the remote valley. Big horn sheep were spotted on one flight, apparently unbothered by the helicopter. That is a possibility, not an inclusion, but it shows why the open setting can feel more alive than a developed geothermal attraction.

What $867 buys you in practical terms

At $867 per person, this is likely to be the most expensive activity on many Iceland trips. You are not paying for a long tour with meals, hotel pickup, or several hours of guided walking. You are paying for a short flight that combines access, time saved, and two unusual landings.

The value makes sense if you have limited time in Iceland and want to see several major features without spending a full day on the road. In roughly two hours, you cover Glymur, Þingvellir, Lake Þingvallavatn, a glacier, and a geothermal valley. Reaching the glacier and Hengill by road or trail would take far longer and would not produce the same aerial views.

The price makes less sense if you mainly want a cheap way to see Þingvellir. A regular Golden Circle excursion will cost much less and lets you spend more time at the park. The same is true if you want a proper glacier walk, a long hike, or a full geothermal bathing experience. This is a concentrated aerial adventure, not a replacement for every type of Iceland tour.

I would treat the tour as a special-event purchase. If you are celebrating, have only a short stay, or know that a glacier landing would be a lifelong highlight, the cost may feel justified. If you are watching every króna, spend your money on a longer road tour and choose one paid highlight instead.

Timing, weather, and the small-group setup

The stated duration is two hours, and starting times vary by availability. That makes it easy to fit around other Reykjavik plans, but you should avoid placing an important timed activity immediately afterward. Flights depend on safe conditions, and a helicopter schedule can change when weather moves in.

At least four passengers are required for the flight to operate. This is an important booking detail for solo visitors or couples. A reservation does not automatically mean the aircraft will fly if the minimum group has not been met.

The maximum group size is six. That is a strong advantage for photography and for keeping instructions clear at the landing sites. Helicopter cabins are compact, so do not expect to spread out or carry a large amount of loose gear.

Food and drinks are not included. The tour lasts two hours, so this is not a major problem, but eat beforehand if you need a proper meal. The activity begins and ends at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel, rather than at your hotel.

If you weigh more than 125 kilograms, you must book an additional seat. This is an aircraft-loading rule, not a minor note, so check it before you pay.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Iceland plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to leave room for weather changes.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for someone who wants a high-impact Iceland memory and accepts the price. It fits couples, families with older children, and small groups who would rather see remote places from the air than spend hours in a vehicle.

It also suits anyone uneasy about helicopters. One participant began very anxious and found the flight much easier than expected, then said they would book again. That cannot guarantee your own comfort, but it suggests the short duration and guided format may feel manageable even if you are nervous.

Photographers will appreciate the range of subjects: waterfall, glacier, lake, tectonic rift, steaming mud, and mountain views. Bring a camera or phone, but keep it secure around the helicopter and follow the crew’s instructions during boarding and landing.

This is less suitable if you dislike cold, cannot walk on uneven ground, or want a slow, detailed visit at each place. You also need to accept that the precise views and landing conditions can change with weather.

Should you book the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

Book it if the thought of standing on a glacier and then beside steaming geothermal ground feels worth a major part of your Iceland budget. The two landings are the real reason to choose it, while Glymur and Þingvellir give the flight a strong sightseeing route between them.

Skip it if $867 will make the rest of your trip uncomfortable, or if you prefer long walks and detailed time at each stop. For everyone else, this is a focused way to reach remote Iceland in a short window. Just keep your schedule flexible, dress for the glacier, and remember that the helicopter itself is only half the adventure.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

Meet at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. The tour also ends back at this meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

Where does the helicopter land?

The tour includes a landing on Þórisjökull Glacier and another landing at Mount Hengill in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

How many people can join the flight?

The tour is limited to six participants. At least four passengers are required for the flight to operate.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide and audio guide are provided in English.

Is food included, and can I cancel?

Food and drinks are not included. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.