Landmarks from Above: Helicopter tour with 3 Landings

See Iceland in one sweeping flight. This small-group helicopter trip gives you a fast, dramatic way to reach Thingvellir, Gullfoss, Landmannalaugar, and other highland sights from Reykjavik. I like the maximum group size of five, which should make the flight feel more personal, and I like the rare chance to stop for a geothermal bath in Landmannalaugar. The main drawback is the price: at $1,736.40 per person, this is a major splurge, and every landing depends on the weather.

The tour is designed for people with limited time who still want to see far beyond the capital. You avoid the long road loop and trade hours in a bus for a 3-hour to 3-hour 40-minute flight. Just keep in mind that the advertised three landings can shift with conditions, and some parts of the route are described as flyovers rather than fixed stops.

Quick points before you book

• Small group, maximum five people: A compact group matters on a helicopter flight, where everyone wants a clear view and an easy exchange with the English-speaking guide.
• Three landings are advertised: Thingvellir, Landmannalaugar, and another highland location may feature, but weather decides the final pattern.
• Landmannalaugar includes a geothermal bath: You get about one hour there, making this more than a quick photo stop.
• The route reaches remote highlands quickly: You may see Þórsmörk, Eyjafjallajökull, Háifoss, colorful mountain country, and volcanic coastlines from above.
• The price buys time as much as scenery: At $1,736.40, the value is strongest if you have only a short stay or dislike spending a full day on the road.
• Weather is part of the bargain: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but last-minute changes can still disrupt your plans.

Why this helicopter tour makes sense from Reykjavik

I see the main appeal immediately: Iceland’s best-known natural sights are spread across a wide area, while Reykjavik is a compact base. A road trip through the Golden Circle is easy to arrange, but it still takes time. This flight lets you cover several famous places and reach the highlands in roughly half a day.

That time saving has real value. You can pair the trip with another Reykjavik activity, though you should leave room in your schedule in case weather affects the departure. The flight itself lasts about three hours to three hours and 40 minutes, so this is not a short scenic loop around the city.

The aircraft departs from Ace FBO at Reykjavik Airport. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, and the location is near public transportation. Hotel pickup is not listed, so you should plan your own way to the airport area.

A maximum of five people keeps the outing intimate. You will not be part of a large coach group, and the English guide can provide a more direct explanation of what you are seeing. A small group also makes the landing stops easier to manage, though the aircraft still determines how much room each person has.

Setting off from Ace FBO Reykjavik

The experience begins at Ace FBO Reykjavik Airport, in the 101 or 102 Reykjavik area. Your confirmation arrives at booking, and the activity uses a mobile ticket, so you can keep the reservation on your phone.

From the start, I would treat the schedule as flexible. Helicopter routes in Iceland are shaped by wind, visibility, and safe landing conditions. The description names several possible landing points, but it also repeats the phrase if weather permits. That is not fine print to ignore. It is central to how this trip works.

The tour includes an English guide and three landings. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly, especially because the Landmannalaugar stop lasts about an hour. The supplied details do not confirm that refreshments are available during the flight or at the landing areas.

Thingvellir National Park from the air

The first major sight is Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with strong historical and geological importance. This is where Iceland’s old parliament met, and the site is linked to the oldest existing parliament in the world.

From above, you can take in the park’s open setting and the waters of Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake. The view helps connect the political story with the physical setting: the historic meeting place sits in a broad area shaped by powerful natural forces.

A landing here is offered if weather permits, with about 20 minutes listed for the stop. That is enough for a short look and photographs, but not a long walk through the park. If you want a detailed visit to the historic assembly site, a land-based tour gives you more time and closer access.

The helicopter view changes your sense of scale. On a road tour, you usually approach Thingvellir by vehicle and walk selected paths. From the air, the park and lake read as one large scene, which is useful if you want an overview rather than a full historical visit.

Geysir, Gullfoss, and the Golden Circle view

The route also covers the famous Golden Circle sights. Geysir’s hot springs bring the showy geothermal element, with water shooting upward in a burst of heat and force. The area also includes a power plant that harnesses geothermal energy, linking Iceland’s natural heat to everyday use.

Gullfoss is another major highlight. The waterfall’s sparkling water drops through a dramatic gorge, and an aerial view can show the shape of the falls better than a ground-level viewpoint. You may appreciate seeing how the water cuts through the surrounding rock instead of looking only at the front-facing cascade.

The schedule mentions a possible landing around the Geysir section, again depending on weather. It does not clearly promise a fixed ground stop at both Geysir and Gullfoss. I would therefore think of these as guaranteed parts of the flight route, with the exact time on the ground subject to safe conditions.

That distinction matters at this price. If your priority is walking right up to Gullfoss or spending time beside the geysers, a road tour may give you a fuller visit for far less money. If your priority is seeing several places from above, the helicopter earns its keep through access and speed.

Crossing Þórsmörk and the Eyjafjallajökull area

The flight continues toward the southern highlands, passing between the glaciers of Þórsmörk and the area associated with Eyjafjallajökull’s 2010 eruption. The route then follows a series of waterfalls toward dark volcanic coastlines and offshore volcanic islands.

This is the part of the trip where the aircraft offers something a bus cannot easily match. Roads limit you to valleys and marked viewpoints. From the helicopter, you can see the relationship between glacier, river, waterfall, mountain, and coast in one moving sequence.

I would keep your expectations practical. The itinerary gives a vivid outline of the route but does not name every waterfall or specify the exact flight path. Weather, visibility, and operating decisions can change what you see. The appeal is the broad aerial journey, not a guaranteed checklist of every feature.

Landmannalaugar and the geothermal bath

Landmannalaugar is likely the emotional center of the trip. Its mountains are known for unusual colors, and the highland setting feels far removed from Reykjavik. Reaching this area by road can take substantial time, while the helicopter brings it into a single half-day outing.

The tour includes a landing in the Landmannalaugar geothermal area if conditions allow. The stop lasts about one hour, and the special feature is a secluded geothermal bath. You can trade the cold, open highland air for naturally heated water, creating a slower pause in the middle of a fast-moving flight.

I like this contrast. Many helicopter excursions are built around brief landings and photographs. Here, the bath gives you a reason to stop and stay. It also makes the trip feel connected to Icelandic bathing culture rather than being only a sightseeing flight.

Still, do not assume a full spa service. The experience includes access to a geothermal bath, not food, drinks, or a list of changing facilities. The supplied details do not specify what you should bring or what amenities are provided, so check directly with GlacierHeli before departure if bathing arrangements matter to you.

The bathing stop may also be the least predictable part of the day. Landmannalaugar is remote and exposed, and the tour makes clear that the landing depends on weather. If safe conditions do not allow the stop, the operator may need to alter the route.

Háifoss and the possible third landing

Háifoss is another possible highlight. The waterfall drops through a striking highland setting, and the route says the helicopter may fly over it and land nearby if the weather permits.

This stop helps explain the title’s reference to three landings, but the published details do not spell out one fixed sequence for all three. Thingvellir and Landmannalaugar are named as landing locations, while Geysir and the area around Háifoss also appear as possible landing points.

You should ask for the expected landing plan before you go. The operator is GlacierHeli, and the flight crew will have the final say based on conditions. That uncertainty is normal for an Icelandic helicopter trip, but a clear conversation beforehand will help you judge if the experience matches your priorities.

What the $1,736.40 price really buys

At $1,736.40 per person, this is not a casual add-on. You are paying for a small aircraft, a professional pilot and guide, several hours in the air, remote access, and the chance to land in places that would take much longer to reach by road.

The strongest value comes from saved time. If you have only a few days in Iceland, the flight can cover the Golden Circle, highland scenery, waterfalls, glaciers, and Landmannalaugar without using a full day on a coach or rental car route.

The value is weaker if you have plenty of time and want to explore on foot. A standard Golden Circle outing costs much less and gives you more time at Thingvellir, Geysir, and Gullfoss. A road journey also lets you stop when you want, rather than following a flight plan shaped by weather and safety.

I would book this only if the aerial view is the point of the trip. The price is easier to justify for a special occasion, a short Iceland stop, or someone who places a high value on access and convenience. It is hard to justify if you mainly want to tick off the famous sights at the lowest cost.

What past passengers liked most

The clearest praise centers on the scenery, the crew, and the sense of freedom during the stops. One passenger described the canyons and colorful terrain from above as worth the price and praised the professional, friendly crew and pilot.

That is useful guidance. A helicopter flight succeeds or fails on the combination of views and confidence in the crew. The flight should feel exciting, but a calm and courteous pilot matters just as much when you are landing in remote places.

Another passenger specifically credited Freddie for working with the booking after other companies would not. Mario was named as the pilot and described as a true gentleman. The available comment cuts off before giving more detail, but those names may help you recognize the team when arranging the experience.

The overall rating is 5 from two published reviews. That is encouraging, but the sample is very small. I would treat it as a sign of strong satisfaction, not as proof that every departure will follow the same route or deliver the same views.

Weather, weight, and practical planning

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, the operator also offers a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Since weather can affect helicopter operations, avoid placing an important same-day connection immediately after this tour.

The stated total weight limit is 265 pounds per passenger. That wording may refer to the passenger’s total weight, but you should confirm how GlacierHeli applies it when booking, especially if you need to include clothing or other carried items.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied information. The activity is near public transportation, but no hotel transfer is included in the details. Plan to reach Ace FBO at Reykjavik Airport on your own.

Who should book this flight?

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time, want a small-group outing, and care more about seeing Iceland from above than spending hours on marked walking paths. It also suits anyone drawn to the contrast between fast flight and a quiet geothermal bath.

It is a strong choice for photographers, though the best view depends on your seat and the aircraft layout, which are not specified. You should also expect changing light, reflections, and weather rather than a guaranteed clear sky.

I would steer budget-minded visitors toward a road tour. You can see the main Golden Circle sights for far less, and you will have more control over stops and walking time. I would also hesitate if a particular landing, such as Háifoss or Geysir, is the main reason you want to go.

Should you book Landmarks from Above?

Book it if you want a high-impact Iceland experience and can accept weather-based changes. The combination of a maximum five-person group, broad highland route, three advertised landings, and a geothermal bath is unusual.

Skip it if $1,736.40 would strain your trip budget or if you want long, ground-level visits at each Golden Circle sight. Before paying, ask GlacierHeli which three landing points are most likely on your date, how the Landmannalaugar bath is arranged, and how the 265-pound weight rule is applied.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour begin?

It begins at Ace FBO Reykjavik, located at Reykjavik Airport in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Ace FBO Reykjavik.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is approximately 3 hours to 3 hours and 40 minutes.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to a maximum of five participants.

How many landings are included?

Three landings are included, although the exact landing locations depend on weather and operating conditions.

Is Landmannalaugar included?

Yes. The route flies over the Landmannalaugar geothermal area and includes a possible landing there if weather permits.

Is a geothermal bath part of the experience?

Yes. The Landmannalaugar stop includes the opportunity to use a secluded geothermal bath, with about one hour listed for that stop.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.