From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

Iceland looks different from the sky. This two-hour helicopter trip links a glacier, Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, and the steaming Hengill Geothermal Area in one compact flight. I especially like the two landings, since you do not just look down at Iceland from a window. You step onto the ice and volcanic ground. I also like the small group limit of six, which gives the flight a more personal feel than a large sightseeing outing. The main drawback is clear: at $867 per person, this is a major splurge.

The glacier landing supplies the big emotional moment. You can walk across the snow, take photos, make a snow angel, or simply enjoy the quiet. Then the helicopter carries you to the hot, raw world of Mount Hengill, where steaming springs and boiling mud pots create a striking contrast. The flight needs at least four passengers to operate, and weather or conditions can affect the schedule, so keep some flexibility in your Iceland plans.

Key points before you book

• Two very different landings: Step onto Þórisjökull Glacier, then land at Mount Hengill in a geothermal valley.
• Glymur from above: The route crosses Iceland’s famed waterfall, saving you the time and effort required for the hike.
• Þingvellir from the air: See the national park, Iceland’s largest lake, and the canyon linked to the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• Small group setting: The helicopter carries no more than six participants, helping everyone get a good view.
• A serious splurge: At $867, this makes the most sense for a special occasion or a short Iceland visit.
• Simple meeting point: Meet at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel, and return there after the flight.

Starting at ACE FBO Reykjavik

Your trip begins at ACE FBO Reykjavik, located behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel at the city’s domestic airport. That makes the meeting point fairly easy to reach if you are staying in Reykjavik, but do not confuse the domestic airport with Keflavík International Airport. They are separate places.

The flight lasts about two hours from departure to return. Since the available starting times vary, check the schedule before arranging other plans. I would avoid putting a paid attraction immediately afterward. A helicopter trip can be shifted by weather or operating conditions, and you will want enough breathing room to enjoy the flight without watching the clock.

The group is limited to six people. That matters here. A small helicopter gives you a close view of the ground, and a small group means less time organizing people at each landing. You also receive a live guide in English, along with an English audio guide.

At least four passengers are required for the flight to operate. This is one of the practical details worth noting before you build your day around it. If you weigh more than 125 kilograms, you must book an additional seat.

Flying over Glymur waterfall

The first part of the route takes you toward Þórisjökull Glacier, with a flight over Glymur waterfall along the way. Glymur is one of Iceland’s famous waterfalls, and seeing it from above gives you a sense of its setting that a ground visit does not provide.

The helicopter saves you hours of walking connected with reaching the waterfall on foot. That does not mean the view is a replacement for every hiking experience, but it is a smart trade for this tour. Your time is being used to reach the glacier and the geothermal area rather than spent on a long approach trail.

From your seat, you can photograph the waterfall, surrounding mountains, and changing textures of snow, rock, and water. Helicopter windows can create reflections, so keep your camera ready and pay attention to the guide’s timing. You will not want to fumble with settings just as the best view passes.

The flight itself is part of the value. You are not simply being transported between two stops. You see how the glacier, volcanic areas, valleys, and Þingvellir fit together. That broad view helps explain Iceland better than a series of isolated roadside stops.

First landing on Þórisjökull Glacier

Landing on Þórisjökull is the tour’s most memorable moment for many people, and I understand why. A glacier seen from the air is impressive. A glacier beneath your boots is something else.

Once the helicopter lands, you have time to walk across the snow and ice, take pictures, and enjoy the open view. The planned activities are simple and wonderfully low-tech: throw snowballs, make a snow angel, build a snowman, or stand quietly in the cold air. You do not need a complicated program to appreciate the place.

The glacier landing also gives you the best chance for dramatic photos. Snow and ice can make the scene feel almost unreal, especially when the helicopter is sitting nearby. One particularly strong account of this tour described walking on untouched snow and feeling surrounded by silence. That is the right way to think about this stop. It is not a long glacier trek. It is a short, special chance to set foot in a remote place without spending a full day hiking.

You should dress for cold conditions. The information provided does not specify a clothing list, so use sensible Iceland layers and sturdy footwear. Even if the day feels mild in Reykjavik, a glacier landing is a different setting. Ask the operator about current clothing and footwear needs before departure.

The limitation is time. A two-hour tour must fit the flight, two landings, and sightseeing between them. You will not have hours to wander across the ice. If you want technical glacier travel or a guided glacier hike, this is not that kind of outing. If your goal is simply to stand on a glacier and take in the view, it delivers that in a very efficient way.

Þingvellir National Park from the air

After the glacier, the helicopter heads toward Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s Golden Circle. From above, the park becomes a lesson in geography and history.

Þingvellir is tied to the birth of Iceland’s parliament, described as the oldest existing parliament in the world. Looking down from the helicopter, you can see the canyon associated with the meeting of the North American and Eurasian continental plates. The visible rift gives physical shape to a fact you may have heard many times about Iceland.

The view also includes the sparkling waters of Iceland’s largest lake. From the air, the park’s scale and structure are easier to grasp. You can see the canyon, lake, and surrounding terrain in one frame rather than visiting each viewpoint separately.

This section is mostly a sightseeing flight, not a landing. That distinction matters. You will get a strong overview and excellent photo chances, but you will not walk around Þingvellir during this tour. If you have already visited the park by car, the aerial angle still adds something useful. If you have not visited it, this flight gives you a preview, not a full ground visit.

I like this middle section because it keeps the tour from being only about dramatic scenery. The glacier provides ice, Hengill provides heat, and Þingvellir supplies the cultural and geological link between them.

Second landing at Mount Hengill

The second landing takes place in the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for the Hengill volcano. The area lies in a remote valley that can be reached by helicopter or by hiking. That makes the landing especially valuable if you want to see Iceland’s geothermal side without committing to a long walk.

Here, the mood changes completely. Instead of white snow and open silence, you find hot springs, steaming ground, and boiling mud pots. You can walk toward the features and observe them up close. The colors around geothermal ground can include rusty reds, yellows, and grays, with steam rising around the valley.

This is the part of the trip that feels most unusual. Many Iceland outings show you a hot spring from a marked path or a roadside viewpoint. Here, the helicopter takes you to a remote setting where the volcanic activity feels much closer and less domesticated.

You must follow the guide’s directions carefully. The supplied details specifically mention boiling mud pots and hot springs, so this is not a place for wandering wherever you like. Stay with the group and keep clear of unstable or hot ground. The attraction is seeing the geothermal features close up, not taking unnecessary risks.

A striking account of the experience included four wild big horn sheep near the landing area. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, but this detail shows how remote the valley can feel. The sheep were reportedly unfazed by the helicopter, adding an unexpected touch to an already unusual stop.

One past departure also had a view of a volcano erupting. That is an extraordinary possibility, not something you should treat as a regular part of the tour. Volcanic activity and flight routes change, so book this for the glacier and geothermal landings rather than for a promised eruption view.

What $867 really buys you

At $867 per person, this is one of Iceland’s expensive activities. The honest question is not simply if the tour is good. It is if two hours of access and scenery are worth more to you than several days of lower-cost sightseeing.

I see the price in three parts. First, you pay for the helicopter itself, including access to places that would take a long hike or special planning to reach. Second, you pay for the time saved. In two hours, you see Glymur, Þingvellir, Þórisjökull, and Hengill. Third, you pay for the landings, particularly the glacier and remote geothermal valley.

That can be good value if you have a short stay, limited mobility for long hikes, or one special experience budgeted into your trip. It also suits a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or a final big Iceland memory.

The value is weaker if you dislike helicopters, prefer slow walks, or already plan to spend several days exploring glaciers and geothermal areas from the ground. You can see parts of Þingvellir and the Golden Circle by road for far less money. You simply will not get the same remote landings or aerial perspective.

The strongest praise for this experience focuses on the glacier landing, the view from the helicopter, and the geothermal stop. One person who felt anxious about flying in a helicopter found the ride comfortable enough to book again. That is encouraging, but you should still consider your own comfort with flight before paying such a large amount.

Who will enjoy this flight most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a high-impact Iceland experience in a short time. It is especially well suited to people who value unusual access, dramatic photos, and a small group rather than a low price.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants both snow and geothermal activity in one outing. The contrast is the point. You go from crisp glacier air to steaming mud pots, with Þingvellir and Glymur connecting the two.

You may want to skip it if your main goal is hiking. The glacier stop is a walk on the ice, not a full trek. The Hengill stop lets you approach geothermal features, but it is not described as a long hike through the valley.

You should also skip it if your Iceland budget is tight. At $867, this one activity can cost as much as several days of ordinary sightseeing, meals, and transport. It is best treated as a deliberate splurge, not an impulse add-on.

Practical details to keep in mind

The tour includes the helicopter flight and the two landings at Mount Hengill and Þórisjökull Glacier. Food and drinks are not included, so eat beforehand and bring anything the operator allows you to carry.

The tour operates in English, with a live guide and an English audio guide. The group limit is six people, while at least four passengers are needed for the flight to run.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. That flexibility is useful when Iceland’s weather can affect outdoor plans, but always confirm the final operating conditions with the provider.

The tour begins and ends at ACE FBO Reykjavik. Allow time to reach the domestic airport and confirm the exact departure time when you book.

Should you book the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

Book it if you want a rare, concentrated experience and can comfortably afford the price. The glacier landing is the strongest reason to go, while the Hengill landing gives the trip its real fire-and-ice contrast.

I would not book it simply because you want to check off the Golden Circle. This is not a replacement for a full day at Þingvellir, waterfalls, and other road-accessible sights. Book it for the helicopter perspective, the remote landing spots, and the chance to stand in places that are difficult to reach by ordinary transport.

If you are on the fence, ask yourself one practical question: will you remember the $867 more clearly than you remember the experience? For a short Iceland visit or a once-only celebration, this tour makes a strong case. For a longer, budget-minded trip, put the money toward several ground-based outings instead.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

It starts at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at ACE FBO Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The helicopter tour lasts two hours.

How many people can join the group?

The group is limited to six participants.

How many passengers are needed for the flight to operate?

A minimum of four passengers is required for the flight to operate.

Which places receive landings?

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

Is Þingvellir National Park part of the route?

Yes. The helicopter flies over Þingvellir National Park, including views of the lake, canyon, and tectonic plate area.

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 I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.