From Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour to Hengill with Landing

Raw Iceland from above. This short helicopter flight carries you from Reykjavik across the Hellisheiði plateau to Hengill’s geothermal country. I like the small five-person group, which keeps the experience personal, and I like the landing in Hengill, where you have time to see steaming ground instead of only watching it through a window. The main drawback is the price: at $529 per person, this is a major splurge for about an hour in the air.

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík, then fly toward one of Iceland’s most active volcanic areas. The route includes views around Hellisheiði, Bláfjöll, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, and Nesjavallavirkjun. English commentary comes from a live guide, with an English audio guide included as well.

The flight time is listed as about one hour, though the detailed timing gives a total of 50 to 70 minutes. Around 25 to 35 minutes is spent touring from the air, and about 15 minutes is set aside for the Hengill landing. Pregnant women cannot take this tour, so check that restriction before booking.

Key points to know before you fly

• Hengill landing: You spend about 15 minutes on a geothermal area, with time to walk around and see hot springs.
• Hellisheiði from the air: Lava-covered fields, basalt mountains, mossy rock, and steaming ground form the main view.
• Five-person maximum: The small group gives you a better chance to hear the pilot and enjoy a less crowded flight.
• Volcano-focused commentary: Guides explain Iceland’s volcanic areas, with Laura praised for her friendly, professional explanations.
• Short but costly: The tour lasts roughly 50 to 70 minutes and costs $529 per person, so the landing is central to its value.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve now while paying later.

Leaving Reykjavik for Hellisheiði

Your starting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík, the airport facility used for the helicopter departure. This is not a full-day excursion with long road transfers. The appeal is speed: within a short time, you are looking down on the volcanic ground east of the capital.

The first part of the route crosses the Hellisheiði plateau. This is one of the most active volcanic areas in Iceland, and the view is not the usual postcard version of the country. You can expect broad lava fields broken by dark basalt mountains, moss-covered rock, steaming hot springs, and lines of cairns stretching into the distance.

From ground level, Iceland’s volcanic terrain can look like a wall of black rock and moss. From the helicopter, the shapes become easier to read. You can see how the lava spreads across the plateau and how the mountains rise from it. That change in scale is the real reason to fly.

The route includes Hellisheiðarvirkjun, an important geothermal power station, along with the wider area around Nesjavallavirkjun. The tour information does not promise a detailed visit to either facility, so think of them as points within the flight route rather than stops where you get out. Their presence helps show how Iceland turns geothermal heat into usable power.

Reading the lava fields from above

The best part of this flight may be the contrast between movement and stillness. The helicopter gives you a fast view across ground shaped by volcanic force, but the scenery itself is stark and quiet: black lava, pale steam, rough basalt, and moss softening the edges.

You might see rows of cairns threading across the area. These simple stone markers add a human touch to an otherwise severe setting. They also help you understand the scale of the plateau. From above, a short line of stones can seem to run much farther than expected.

The Hellisheiði section is especially useful for people with limited time in Iceland. You do not need to spend several hours driving to remote geothermal areas. In roughly an hour, the tour gives you a concentrated look at volcanic ground near Reykjavik.

That convenience has a tradeoff. A helicopter flight is not the same as a long walk through a lava field. You get range and height, but not much time on foot. If your priority is hiking, touching the rocks, or spending half a day beside a hot spring, a ground-based excursion may give you more contact with the place.

Approaching Hengill, the volcano country

The flight continues toward Hengill, the volcanic area named after the Hengill volcano. This is the tour’s main event. The helicopter does not simply circle the area and return. It lands, giving you around 15 minutes to experience the geothermal ground directly.

That landing changes the feel of the trip. Aerial views show the scale of Iceland’s volcanic systems, but standing on the ground lets you notice the details: steam rising from the earth, unusual rock textures, and the strong sense that heat is still active below your feet.

The exact walking route is not specified, so you should not expect a long guided hike. This is a brief stop, not a full geothermal trek. Still, 15 minutes can be enough to step out, take photographs, look at the springs, and hear the guide explain what you are seeing.

One German-speaking customer described the landing as excellent and said the pilot showed the group the geothermal springs. That gives you a useful picture of the stop: short, guided, and focused on seeing the hot springs rather than wandering off on your own.

You should follow the pilot’s instructions closely. Geothermal ground can be uneven and hot, and the landing area is part of an active volcanic region. The supplied information does not specify footwear requirements or walking difficulty, so practical planning should stay simple: wear secure outdoor shoes and clothing suitable for Icelandic weather.

The pilot and guide make a difference

A helicopter tour can be beautiful even with little commentary, but good explanations help you understand what you are seeing. The experience includes a live English-speaking guide and an English audio guide. The small group limit of five should make it easier to hear the information during the flight and at the landing area.

Laura received especially strong praise for being friendly and professional. Her explanations about volcanoes were described as useful and interesting. That matters here because the scenery is dramatic, but not always easy to interpret from the air. A guide who can explain volcanic features adds substance to the flight.

Another pilot was praised for explaining things calmly and sharing information about Reykjavik and the surrounding area during the flight. That suggests the commentary is not limited to the landing. You may get context about the capital, the nearby volcanic zones, and the countryside below.

The guide’s exact identity is not guaranteed for every departure. Laura led one highly praised flight, while another positive account refers only to the pilot. I would book this for the scenery first, then treat the quality of the commentary as an important bonus.

What the 50 to 70 minutes really includes

The timing deserves a close look. The activity is marketed as a one-hour tour, while the detailed schedule gives a total range of 50 to 70 minutes. About 25 to 35 minutes goes toward the guided flight, and about 15 minutes is reserved for the geothermal landing.

That means the time in the helicopter is not the full hour. Some of the total is used for the landing itself and the transition between flight and ground time. This is still a well-packed outing, but you should not expect a long airborne circuit over every listed point.

The named areas include Hellisheidi, Hengill, Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Nesjavallavirkjun, and Bláfjöll. These names describe the volcanic and geothermal zone covered by the route. The tour is best understood as a compact regional flight rather than a menu of separate sightseeing stops.

Weather can affect the value of an aerial trip, although no specific weather policy is provided here. On a clear day, the combination of lava fields, mountains, steam, and the landing should feel dramatic. In poor visibility, the main benefit of the flight could be reduced. The option to cancel up to 24 hours before departure is useful for your wider planning, but it does not replace checking conditions before you go.

Is $529 a fair price?

At $529 per person, this is not a casual add-on. For two people, the cost reaches $1,058 before any other trip expenses. You are paying for a small-group helicopter flight, a live guide, and the rare chance to land in Hengill’s geothermal area.

The price makes more sense if you value time and access. A road trip can show you geothermal sights around the Reykjavik region, but this flight gives you a bird’s-eye view of the Hellisheiði plateau and places you on volcanic ground within a short outing. The landing is the feature that separates it from a basic scenic helicopter ride.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a flight over Reykjavik or a long time at a hot spring. The route focuses on volcanic country outside the city, and the geothermal stop lasts only about 15 minutes. You are buying a concentrated experience, not a full day of exploration.

I would consider it good value for a special occasion, a first trip to Iceland with very limited time, or anyone who has already seen the main road-accessible sights. I would hesitate if your budget is tight or if you would rather spend $529 on several ground-based activities.

Who should book this helicopter experience?

This tour suits you best if you want to see Iceland’s volcanic character quickly and from two different angles. You get the scale of the region from above, then a short period on the ground at Hengill.

It is a strong choice for:

• Couples or small groups marking a special trip
• Visitors with only a short stay in Reykjavik
• People interested in volcanoes and geothermal power
• Photographers who want aerial views of lava fields and mountains
• Anyone who prefers a small group to a large sightseeing bus

It may not suit you if you are pregnant, since that restriction is stated clearly. It also may disappoint you if you need a long walk, extensive time at the hot springs, or a lower-cost activity.

The small group matters. With no more than five participants, you are not sharing the experience with a coachload of people. You should have a better chance of seeing the views without heads and cameras filling the entire scene, and the guide can keep the discussion more direct.

Booking details that affect your plans

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík. The activity is offered with different starting times, so you need to check availability for your date rather than assume a fixed departure.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging your Iceland schedule. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Keep those terms in mind when deciding how early to commit.

The experience is in English. A live English-speaking guide is included, along with an English audio guide. If you need another language, the supplied details do not confirm one.

The operator is GlacierHeli. The overall rating is 4.4 from 12 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the pilots, the volcanic explanations, the organization of the flight itself, and the Hengill landing. One account noted good parking but only moderate satisfaction with the organization, so I would allow time to find the meeting point and get ready without rushing.

My verdict: book it for the landing

I would book this tour if you want a short, high-cost experience centered on Iceland’s volcanic power. The flight over Hellisheiði gives you views that are hard to appreciate from the road, while the Hengill landing adds a real sense of place.

The strongest reasons to go are the five-person limit, the volcanic commentary, and the chance to see geothermal springs on foot. The main reason to pause is the price. At $529, every part of the short trip needs to matter to you.

Book it for a special day, limited time, or a serious interest in volcanoes. Skip it if you would rather trade altitude for a longer, cheaper ground excursion. The experience is brief, but the combination of aerial range and a geothermal landing gives it a clear purpose.

FAQ

How long does the helicopter tour last?

The activity is listed as lasting one hour. The detailed timing gives a total duration of about 50 to 70 minutes, including the flight, guided tour, and landing.

How much time is spent on the Hengill landing?

About 15 minutes is allocated to landing in the geothermal area around Hengill.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and an English audio guide is included.

How many people can join the helicopter tour?

The group is limited to five participants.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.