Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

A helicopter can take you from Reykjavik’s airport to a glacier and a remote geothermal valley in a single outing. On this Fire and Ice tour, you land on Þórisjökull for snow, photos and wide-open views, then touch down at Hengill, where hot springs and boiling mud pots give the second stop a very different feel.

I like two things in particular: the contrast between the two landings, and the way the flight links natural sights with Icelandic history at Þingvellir. The small group, capped at six, also makes this feel more personal than a big sightseeing flight.

The price is steep at $953.39 per person, and the helicopter’s rear seats may feel tight if you are tall. Weather can also change the plan or cancel the flight, so this is best treated as a special splurge, not a guaranteed way to tick off fixed sights.

What makes this flight worth considering

• Two distinct landings: Spend about 15 minutes on Þórisjökull glacier and 15 minutes in the Hengill Geothermal Area.
• A high-view route: Look for Glymur, Þingvellir, Reykjavik, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, lava fields and farmland from the air.
• A close look at Þingvellir: From above, see the canyon where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, as well as Iceland’s largest lake.
• A small passenger group: The tour has a maximum of six travelers, giving it a more intimate feel than a large aircraft outing.
• A weather-sensitive plan: Good weather is required. If conditions prevent the flight, you will be offered another date or a full refund.
• A premium price: At $953.39 per person, the value rests on the helicopter access, two remote landings and time saved compared with reaching these places on foot.

From Reykjavik Airport to Glymur

Your trip begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík, at Reykjavik Airport. The pilot greets you there before the flight heads toward Þórisjökull. One early landmark is Glymur, a famed waterfall north of the city.

The route gives you a quick change of scale. Reykjavik’s buildings and nearby sights recede, and the view opens onto Iceland’s rugged interior. From a helicopter, you can cover ground that would otherwise take far longer to reach, though the scenery depends on visibility and weather on the day.

The tour also passes over or near several notable sights, including Hallgrímskirkja, Mount Esja and Hvalfjörður. These aerial glimpses are part of the flight rather than separate stops, so think of them as views to look out for, not time on the ground.

A pilot’s commentary can help you make sense of what you are seeing. Past pilots named Laura, Oliver and Tasha have been praised for their clear explanations, friendly manner and skill in windy conditions. Pilots and conditions can vary, of course, but that combination of local context and confident flying matters when the views are new and the aircraft is small.

Þórisjökull: 15 minutes on the glacier

The first landing is on Þórisjökull, where you get about 15 minutes to step out, take photos and explore the snowy surface. The helicopter saves you the hours of hiking it would take to reach a remote glacier area on foot. For many people, that access is the main reason to choose this tour.

On the ice, you can make snow angels, build a snowman or have a snowball fight, weather and conditions permitting. Or simply pause and take in the open view. The air is crisp, and the setting feels far removed from the city you left behind.

Keep your expectations realistic about the stop’s length. Fifteen minutes is enough for a look around and a set of photos, not a long glacier walk. Strong wind can make it harder to stand steadily, so dress for cold, follow the pilot’s instructions and take care on your feet.

The glacier stop is also the most weather-dependent part of the outing. Low cloud can block the view, and poor conditions can lead to a changed departure time, date or cancellation. If seeing a glacier is your main goal, ask the operator how visibility is looking before you set out, and leave flexibility in your schedule if you can.

Þingvellir from above

After the glacier, the route takes in Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Iceland’s Golden Circle. From the air, the park’s defining feature is the canyon that marks the divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The separation is visible from above, giving you a striking view of the ground shaped by continental drift.

Þingvellir is also one of Iceland’s most important historic places. It is known as the birthplace of the world’s oldest existing parliament, and the area carries a strong connection to the country’s Viking past. From a helicopter, you get a broad sense of the park’s scale and its setting beside Iceland’s largest lake.

This is an aerial visit, not a ground tour of the park. You will not have time to walk the historic sites or explore the shore. If you want to understand Þingvellir in detail, pair the flight with a separate visit by road; if you mainly want to see the rift from above, this route gives you a memorable overview.

Hengill: hot springs and boiling mud

The second landing is in the Hengill Geothermal Area, in a remote valley associated with the Hengill volcano. The valley’s hot springs and boiling mud pots are the counterpoint to the glacier: one stop is cold, bright and snowy; the next is warm, steaming and shaped by geothermal heat.

You get about 15 minutes on the ground to walk toward the hot springs and mud pots and observe them up close. Stay within the area the pilot indicates. These are active geothermal features, not a spa, and the point is to see them safely rather than approach the boiling pools.

The remote setting is part of the appeal. The valley can be reached by helicopter or by hiking, so the flight makes a brief visit possible without a long trek. That access is valuable if your Iceland itinerary is short or you do not want to spend a day hiking.

Still, this is a short stop, not a long geothermal outing. You will have time to look around and take pictures, but not to linger for an extended walk. The helicopter ride and landing are the draw; anyone seeking a longer visit should plan a separate geothermal excursion.

The helicopter, group size and comfort

The tour runs for about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, including both landings. With no more than six travelers, it is a small-group flight, but that does not mean every seat feels spacious. One passenger account described four people seated tightly in the rear, especially challenging for people over six feet tall.

Some flights have rotated seating so everyone gets a turn in the front beside the pilot. That is a useful possibility, not a guaranteed feature, so ask the operator about the seating plan when booking. If you are tall or concerned about space, check the aircraft arrangement before paying.

The pilot’s role is central to the outing. The flight covers several different sights, and a good explanation helps you connect the glacier, rift valley, geothermal area and lava terrain. The pilots named on past outings include Laura, Oliver and Tasha, but you should not assume any particular pilot will be assigned to your departure.

The aircraft may also move to help passengers see sights they are passing without landing. That can improve photo opportunities, though views from every seat may differ. Bring a camera or phone you can handle safely, and listen to the pilot’s instructions rather than focusing only on the screen.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

This is an expensive tour. At $953.39 per person, the price is not easy to justify if you are comparing it with a standard bus excursion or a self-drive day. The value comes from combining a helicopter flight with access to a glacier and a remote geothermal valley, plus aerial views of places that would take much longer to visit by road or foot.

The two landings make this more than a scenic loop over Reykjavik. You get time on both ice and geothermal ground, with about half an hour total outside the helicopter. That is still a short visit at each site, but it gives the flight a physical, memorable element that a no-landing tour would lack.

For a first-time helicopter passenger, the outing can also be a special way to see Iceland’s varied terrain in one trip. Past passengers have described the flight as comfortable and the scenery as a trip highlight. Those are subjective impressions, but the route does offer a lot of visual variety in a relatively short window.

The price makes most sense if you value time, remote access and the chance to land in two very different places. If your budget is tight, or you would rather spend a full day exploring each area at ground level, you may find better value in a road trip or hiking plan.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík, Reykjavik Airport, and the tour ends back there. It is near public transportation. One person found the airport meeting point hard to locate, while another found it easy to reach from downtown by taxi. Check the exact directions before departure rather than assuming the terminal entrance is the meeting spot.

The tour is offered in English and includes an English-speaking guide. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly. The maximum group size is six, and the stated passenger weight limit is 265 pounds per person.

The flight needs good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may offer a different date or a full refund. The trip also requires a minimum number of travelers; if that minimum is not met, you may be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. It is wise to avoid scheduling this as the one fixed event you cannot miss.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and all cut-off times use local time. Because weather can be unpredictable, keep the operator’s contact details handy and watch for updates.

Who should book the Fire and Ice tour?

I would consider this tour if you have a generous budget, want to see Iceland from above and care more about the experience of landing on ice and near geothermal activity than about spending hours at each site. It is especially appealing if a long hike is not part of your plan, but you still want access to remote terrain.

Families may find the snow stop fun, and the small group may suit people who prefer a more personal flight. But consider the price, the limited time on the ground, possible cramped seating and the chance that weather will disrupt the schedule. If those trade-offs work for you, this is a memorable way to pair glacier, volcano and rift-country scenery in one flight. If you need certainty or want a longer visit at each stop, choose a ground-based plan instead.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

Where does the helicopter tour start?

It starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport and returns to the same meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is six travelers.

How long are the two landings?

The Þórisjökull glacier stop is about 15 minutes, and the Hengill Geothermal Area stop is about 15 minutes.

What is included in the tour?

An English-speaking guide and two landings are included. Food and drinks are not included.

Is there a passenger weight limit?

The stated limit is 265 pounds per passenger.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.