Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

The best part of this flight is simple: in one outing, you can stand on a glacier and beside steaming geothermal pools, places that would take far longer to reach by road or trail. You also get sweeping views of Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir, Reykjavik, and Iceland’s volcanic interior from a small helicopter.

I like the two very different landings, and I like the personal feel of a flight capped at six people. Pilots such as Oliver, Laura, and Tasha have been praised for calm handling and clear explanations. The main drawback is the price, along with cramped rear seating for taller passengers and the real risk of weather cancellation.

Key points to know before booking

• Two landings, two worlds: Spend about 15 minutes on Þórisjökull glacier, then another 15 minutes in the Hengill geothermal area.
• A scenic route from Reykjavik: Look for Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir, Lake Þingvallavatn, Mount Esja, Whale Fjordur, lava fields, and Reykjavik landmarks.
• Small-group setting: The helicopter carries a maximum of six people, giving the flight a private, VIP-style feel.
• Short but active stops: You can walk on the glacier, throw snowballs, make a snow angel, and approach hot springs and boiling mud pots.
• Weather matters: Wind, cloud, and poor visibility can change the route or cancel the flight.
• A costly but efficient choice: At $953.39 per person, this is expensive, but it covers in one flight sights that would otherwise require long drives and hikes.

From Reykjavik Airport to Iceland’s high country

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. The airport is in the city, near public transportation, but allow extra time to find the exact departure building. One person found the airport confusing, so do not assume the main terminal signs will lead you straight to the helicopter base.

The setting is more polished than a standard sightseeing bus departure. The operator describes a warm welcome, comfortable sofas, and hot drinks before meeting the pilot. That matters at this price. You are not just buying a seat in the air, you are paying for a small, personal outing with time to ask questions and settle in before takeoff.

The flight lasts about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, including the two landings. Exact timing can shift with weather and the route chosen by the pilot. The helicopter holds no more than six people, but that does not mean every seat feels roomy. A report from two passengers over 1.8 meters tall described the rear area as tight, with four people seated behind the pilot.

One useful feature is that the front passenger position can change between the two landings. That gives more than one person a chance to sit beside the pilot and enjoy the best forward view. If you are hoping for that seat, ask politely at the start how the rotation will work.

Glymur waterfall and the first taste of Iceland from above

Once airborne, the route heads toward Þórisjökull glacier and passes over Glymur, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. From the helicopter, you can see the waterfall and its surrounding gorge without making the strenuous hike required from the ground.

The aerial view changes your sense of scale. Roads, rivers, farmland, cliffs, and old lava flows fit together in a way that is hard to grasp from a car. The pilot may circle or adjust position so people on both sides of the helicopter can see important sights and take photographs.

The views do not stop at Glymur. The route can include Mount Esja, Whale Fjordur, Hallgrímskirkja church, Reykjavik, and broad stretches of volcanic terrain. You may also see the recent eruption site if conditions and the day’s route allow it. One flight changed its path to include that area, showing how the outing can respond to current conditions and local interest.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire flight looking through a screen. Reflections, movement, and limited time can make photographs less satisfying than simply watching the ground pass below. I would take a few quick pictures, then look out and let the pilot point out the features.

Þórisjökull glacier: a 15-minute snow stop

The first landing is on Þórisjökull. This is not a long glacier trek or a technical ice tour. It is a brief chance to step onto the ice, feel the cold air, and enjoy a place that would require hours of hiking to reach on foot.

You can walk around, take photographs, throw snowballs, make a snow angel, or try to build a small snowman. The stop works especially well for families and for anyone visiting Iceland outside the deep winter season who wants a direct encounter with snow and ice.

The views can be striking, but the conditions may also be rough. Wind on the glacier can be strong enough to make standing difficult. Wear secure shoes and clothing that protect you from cold and wind, even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave. There is no mention of provided glacier gear, so do not treat this as a guided glacier hike with specialist equipment.

Fifteen minutes passes quickly. I would decide in advance what matters most: a group photograph, a few minutes walking, or simply taking in the view. Trying to do everything can make the stop feel rushed.

Þingvellir from the air: history written into the ground

After the glacier, the helicopter flies over Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s Golden Circle. From above, the park’s geology is easier to understand than from a roadside viewpoint. The visible rift marks the divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Þingvellir also carries major historical importance as the birthplace of the world’s oldest existing parliament. From the air, you can see the canyon, the broad park area, and Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake.

This section gives the flight more depth than a simple collection of dramatic views. You are seeing a place shaped by both geology and national history. The helicopter does not replace walking through Þingvellir, but it gives you a clear overview before or after a ground visit.

The tradeoff is time. The aircraft can show you the main forms of the park, but you will not have time to explore the paths, historic assembly area, or canyon on foot during this tour. If Þingvellir is a major priority, plan a separate visit by car or Golden Circle excursion.

Hengill geothermal area: the second landing

The second landing is at the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for the Hengill volcano. The setting is reached by helicopter or hiking, and the stop brings you into a remote valley with hot springs and boiling mud pots.

This is a strong contrast to the glacier. Þórisjökull offers cold air, snow, and open white space. Hengill gives you steam, heat, unusual colors, and the active forces beneath Iceland’s surface. You can walk toward the hot pools and mud pots to see them at close range, but you should follow the pilot’s instructions and keep a sensible distance from unstable ground and boiling water.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a short walk, but not enough for a long geothermal hike. The ground may be uneven, and the area can be windy, so sturdy footwear is useful.

The smell and sound of a geothermal valley can be as memorable as the views. Steam rises, mud bubbles, and the earth feels active rather than finished. This is the point in the tour where Iceland’s nickname as the land of fire and ice makes practical sense.

Reykjavik landmarks on the return flight

The return route can include Hallgrímskirkja, the tall church that helps orient you within Reykjavik. Seeing the city from above gives you a useful contrast with the remote glacier and geothermal valley.

You may also see Mount Esja across the bay and Whale Fjordur, a long inlet north of the capital. From the helicopter, the relationship between the city, water, mountains, and open countryside becomes clear. It is a fine way to finish the flight because you gradually return from remote Iceland to the urban center.

The exact sequence is not guaranteed. Helicopter routes depend on wind, cloud, visibility, and operational decisions. Treat the named sights as planned highlights rather than a promise that every feature will be seen from the same angle.

What the pilots add to the flight

The pilot is an important part of this tour. Oliver has been praised for safe handling and good explanations, while Laura and Tasha have also received especially warm comments for making passengers comfortable. One pilot handled strong winds with ease and moved the helicopter so people could get better views of sights below.

That last detail matters in a small helicopter. Your window view can be affected by your seat, the direction of the sun, and which side of the aircraft faces the attraction. A pilot who explains what you are seeing and makes reasonable adjustments can make the flight feel far more personal.

You should expect commentary in English. The guides are not just there to operate the aircraft. They point out waterfalls, tectonic features, lava flows, geothermal areas, and landmarks along the route. The strongest flights balance explanation with quiet time to look.

Is $953.39 good value?

At $953.39 per person, this is a major splurge. It costs far more than a standard Golden Circle day trip, and the total flight time is under two hours. If you judge the tour by minutes alone, it will look expensive.

The value comes from access and efficiency. In one outing, you reach a glacier, a remote geothermal valley, Þingvellir, Glymur, Mount Esja, Whale Fjordur, and Reykjavik viewpoints. Reaching the glacier and Hengill area by land would take much longer, and some of the scenery would require hiking or separate excursions.

The small group also changes the experience. With a maximum of six people, you avoid the scale of a large coach tour. You spend less time waiting, and the two landings feel more personal. Still, the rear seating can be cramped, particularly for taller people, so the price does not guarantee spacious comfort.

I would consider it good value for a short Iceland visit, a special occasion, or anyone who wants dramatic access without driving. I would skip it if your budget is tight, if you prefer slow walks and long time at each site, or if you already have several days to explore Iceland by road.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

Icelandic weather controls this outing. High winds or heavy cloud can make the glacier landing unsafe or block the views. One scheduled flight was moved because of wind, while another person arrived to find a short alternative flight after the original Fire and Ice trip was canceled.

If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not met. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Build flexibility into your schedule. Do not place this flight immediately before an important international departure or a time-sensitive connection. If your trip allows it, schedule the helicopter early enough that a weather change can be handled without losing your only chance.

The listed passenger weight limit is 265 pounds per person. Food and drinks are not included, although hot drinks may be available before departure as part of the welcome at the base. The tour returns to the same Reykjavik meeting point.

Who should book this helicopter tour?

This outing suits you if you want a big sample of Iceland in a short period and do not mind paying for access. It is especially appealing for first-time visitors with limited time, families who may not want a long glacier hike, couples marking a special trip, and photographers who value changing views from the air.

It also suits people who enjoy variety. In one flight, you move from city rooftops to a waterfall, glacier, tectonic rift, volcano country, hot pools, lava fields, and coastal scenery.

I would be more cautious if you dislike enclosed seating, motion, or uncertain weather. The rear seats may feel tight, and a 15-minute landing is enough for a taste, not a full exploration. You also need to accept that the advertised sights can change with conditions.

Should you book Fire and Ice?

Book it if the glacier and geothermal landing are the main goals of your Iceland trip and the price fits your budget. The combination is unusual, the small group keeps it personal, and the flight covers a remarkable amount of ground without asking you to spend a full day in a car.

Before paying, check the forecast, leave room in your itinerary for a weather change, and contact the operator if you need clear directions to Ace FBO Reykjavík. If you want a slow, ground-level Iceland experience, choose road trips and hikes instead. If you want two remote landings and a broad aerial view in one memorable outing, this is one of the stronger splurges in Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the Fire and Ice helicopter tour start?

The tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport in Reykjavik. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the helicopter tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, including the flight and two landings.

How many people can join the tour?

The helicopter tour has a maximum of six travelers.

How many landings are included?

Two landings are included. The first is on Þórisjökull glacier, and the second is in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

How long do you stay at each landing?

You have about 15 minutes at the glacier and about 15 minutes at Hengill.

What can you do at the glacier?

You can walk around, take photographs, throw snowballs, make a snow angel, build a snowman, or simply enjoy the glacier views.

What can you see at Hengill?

The Hengill stop includes hot springs and boiling mud pots in a remote geothermal valley. You can walk toward them and observe them from close range.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

What happens if the weather is too poor to fly?

If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not met, you are also offered a different date, another experience, or a full refund.