From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

A glacier landing and a volcanic landing in one short flight is the real draw here. I like the two very different stops: quiet snow and ice first, then steaming vents and boiling mud at Hengill. I also like the small cabin, limited to six people, which gives you a much better view than a packed sightseeing bus.

The drawback is simple: at $931 per person, this is a serious splurge. Weather can cancel or change either landing, and the flight needs at least four passengers to operate. Still, if you want access to places that would take hours of hiking, this is one of Iceland’s most memorable shortcuts.

Key points to know before booking

• Two landings, two climates: Walk on a glacier, then explore a geothermal valley with hot springs and boiling mud pots.
• Aerial route with major sights: The flight passes Mount Esja, Glymur Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Lake Þingvallavatn, and volcanic terrain.
• Only about two hours: You see a remarkable amount of southern Iceland without spending a full day on the road.
• Small group setting: The helicopter carries up to six participants, with an English-speaking pilot and guide.
• Weather controls the plan: Both landings depend on safe flying conditions, so the exact route may change.
• High cost, rare access: At $931, this is not a casual add-on, but it reaches remote places that are difficult to visit on foot.

Why this helicopter tour feels different

Many Iceland tours take you to a waterfall, a glacier viewpoint, or a geothermal field. This one lets you stand on the ice and near the steam. That shift matters. You are not only looking down from a roadside pullout or through a coach window. For a short time, you are in two remote settings that are otherwise difficult to reach.

The flight begins at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. From there, the helicopter heads over the capital area and toward Mount Esja. The early part of the trip gives you a broad view of Reykjavik, the surrounding coast, and the mountain that forms such a familiar backdrop to the city.

The cabin time is broken into several sightseeing legs, with the longest pauses reserved for the glacier and Hengill. You spend about 30 minutes at each landing, so this is not just a quick touch-down for a photograph. You have time to walk around, take pictures, and simply pay attention to the silence and scale of the place.

Crossing Mount Esja and Glymur Waterfall

Mount Esja is one of the first major sights on the route. From the air, its ridges and valleys make more sense than they do from city streets. You get a clear sense of how close Reykjavik is to open country, mountains, and rough volcanic ground.

The helicopter then flies toward Glymur Waterfall, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls and the former highest waterfall in the country before measurements of Morsárfoss changed that distinction. The useful part here is not only the waterfall itself. The flight saves you the long hike required to reach Glymur’s viewpoints, while giving you a high view of the falls and the surrounding gorge.

Your pilot provides an English safety briefing and explains the sights along the way. The pilots associated with this experience have included Oliver, Thomas, Laura, and others. Specific pilots can vary, but clear explanations and calm handling are important parts of the trip, especially if you feel nervous about helicopters.

One note for photographers: the window seat matters. The helicopter’s small size helps, but reflections and glare can still affect pictures. Keep your camera ready, yet do not spend the whole flight looking at a screen. The best views are constantly changing.

Landing on the glacier for 30 minutes

The first landing takes you to a glacier identified in the tour information as Þórisjökull. The route details also refer to Langjökull, so it is sensible to confirm the exact glacier and landing point when you book. Either way, the point of this section is a landing on high ice rather than a roadside glacier view.

Once on the glacier, you can walk across the snow and ice, take photographs, make snow angels, or enjoy the open silence. Depending on the season and conditions, you might find snow suitable for a snowball fight or a small snowman. The important thing is that this is a proper stop, not a quick photo from the aircraft door.

The glacier is also where clothing matters most. The air can feel sharp and cold even when Reykjavik is comfortable. Wear warm layers, sturdy shoes, gloves, and a hat. The supplied information does not promise special glacier equipment, so you should not assume crampons, boots, or other gear will be provided.

This landing is likely to be the emotional high point for many people. You are surrounded by snow and ice, with no road, bus, or marked visitor center in sight. One person described the untouched snow and quiet as feeling almost cinematic, and that is a useful way to understand the appeal. The glacier offers space and stillness, not entertainment.

The 30-minute stop is long enough for photographs and a short walk, but not a glacier trek. If you want technical glacier hiking, ice caves, or a guided crevasse tour, book a dedicated glacier activity instead. This stop is about access and atmosphere.

Þingvellir from the air

After the glacier, the helicopter heads toward Þingvellir National Park. This is one of Iceland’s most important places, both geologically and historically. It is linked to the early Icelandic parliament and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From above, you can see the long rift and the canyon associated with the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The view is different from walking the park’s main paths. A ground visit helps you understand the rock walls at eye level, but the helicopter gives you the wider pattern: water, fissures, valleys, and the broad setting around Iceland’s largest lake, Þingvallavatn.

There is no separate landing here. Þingvellir is a sightseeing segment during the flight, listed at about 15 minutes. That is enough for an aerial view, but not enough for a proper visit to the parliament site, walking paths, or church area. If Þingvellir is high on your list, plan a separate Golden Circle day.

This portion also helps connect the trip’s two main themes. The glacier shows ice in a direct, physical way. Þingvellir shows the forces that shaped Iceland over vast periods, while also connecting the country to its early political past.

Hengill’s steam, mud, and volcanic ground

The second landing is at the Hengill Geothermal Area, near Mount Hengill. This remote valley is difficult to reach except by helicopter or a hike, which gives the stop its special character.

At Hengill, you can walk toward hot springs, steaming vents, and boiling mud pots. The ground may show unusual red, yellow, and gray colors, created by the hot and chemically active earth. Steam can rise around the valley, creating a scene that feels far removed from Reykjavik.

The area is not a spa stop. You are not going there to bathe, and you should keep a safe distance from hot ground, vents, and mud pots. The tour description says you can observe these features up close, but safe walking instructions from your pilot matter more than any photograph.

This is a more active stop than the glacier in one sense. You are looking at moving steam, bubbling mud, and the signs of heat beneath the surface. Yet it is also a quiet place. There may be no crowds, buildings, or paved paths around you.

Wildlife is possible too. One March outing included four wild big horn sheep near the landing area. You should not count on seeing them, but the detail gives you an idea of how remote Hengill can feel.

The second landing lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time to walk a short distance, take photos, and study the geothermal features. It is not a long hike through the valley, so set your expectations correctly.

What the two-hour schedule really gives you

The advertised duration is two hours, including flight time and both stops. The listed segments add up to a fast-moving tour: roughly 10 minutes over the capital region, 10 around Mount Esja, 10 near Glymur, 30 at the glacier, 15 around Þingvellir, 30 at Hengill, and about 10 minutes back to Reykjavik.

Those figures are useful because they show how much of the tour is spent in the air. You are not getting two full hours on the ground. You are getting two substantial stops connected by a sightseeing flight over some of southwest Iceland’s best-known sights.

That pace suits you if you want variety and access. It may not suit you if you prefer slow walks, long time at one site, or detailed photography. Helicopter tours also involve constant visual change. You may see a waterfall, a mountain, a glacier, a lake, and a geothermal area within minutes.

The limited group size helps. With no more than six participants, the experience should feel more personal than a standard bus outing. The pilot can explain what you are seeing, and the cabin is less crowded. Still, a small helicopter is not spacious, so you should expect a compact flight environment.

Price, value, and the hard question

At $931 per person, this is among the most expensive activities you can add to an Iceland trip. You should compare it with what the price replaces, not only with the cost of other excursions.

A road tour can take you to Þingvellir, waterfalls, and geothermal sights for far less. A glacier hike will also cost less in most cases, though it involves driving, equipment, and more time. The helicopter’s value comes from combining two remote landings with an aerial tour in only two hours.

You are paying for time saved and access gained. The glacier landing avoids a long approach, while Hengill’s remote valley may require a substantial hike. You also get a view of the country that no road tour can match.

I would not call it good value for every budget. If this price would force you to skip food, accommodation, or other major parts of your Iceland trip, choose a cheaper activity. But if you have one large splurge available and want a rare, compact experience, the cost is easier to defend.

The strongest case is for a special occasion, a short visit, or a return trip when you have already seen Iceland’s main sights from the road. The weakest case is for someone who has not yet allowed time for basic highlights and is choosing between this flight and several full days of sightseeing.

Weather, safety, and practical limits

Icelandic weather can change quickly. Both landings depend on weather and safety conditions, so a flight may be adjusted, shortened, or unable to land at one of the planned sites. A clear day gives you the best chance of broad views, but no operator can promise perfect conditions.

The flight requires at least four passengers to operate. The group is limited to six participants, making this a small-group experience rather than a private flight unless you arrange otherwise.

If you weigh more than 120 kilograms, you must book an additional seat. This is an important cost and planning detail, so do not leave it until arrival.

Food and drinks are not included. The tour is only two hours, but you should eat beforehand and bring any water you need. The meeting point is ACE FBO Reykjavik behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel, not a regular downtown bus stop.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour includes an English-speaking live guide, an English audio guide, the helicopter flight, and both planned landings when conditions allow.

Who should book it?

I would recommend this tour if you want to see a lot in a short time, value remote access, and can accept the risk of weather changes. It is especially suited to photographers, first-time visitors with limited days, couples marking a special occasion, and families whose children are old enough to handle a helicopter flight and cold outdoor stops.

It is also a strong choice if you are anxious about helicopters but still curious. A clear safety briefing and a calm pilot can make a difference, and one nervous participant later described the flight as far less frightening than expected. Still, if you dislike small aircraft or have trouble with cold, wind, or uneven ground, think carefully before paying the full price.

My verdict on this Iceland helicopter experience

I like the logic of this tour. The glacier and Hengill are not similar stops dressed up as separate attractions. One gives you snow, silence, and open ice. The other gives you steam, mud, bright mineral colors, and heat beneath your feet.

The flight also makes Þingvellir, Glymur, Mount Esja, and Reykjavik part of one connected story. You see how the city, mountains, water, ice, and volcanic ground fit together.

Book it if the cost is manageable and you want one powerful Iceland memory rather than the cheapest way to check off sights. Skip it if your budget is tight or if you prefer long walks and slow visits. For the right person, this is a rare chance to stand on a glacier and beside a geothermal valley in the same morning or afternoon.

FAQ

How long does the helicopter tour last?

The tour lasts about two hours, including the flight and the two landings.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at ACE FBO Reykjavik, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel.

How many people can join the helicopter tour?

The tour is limited to six participants.

What are the two landing locations?

The planned landings are on Þórisjökull Glacier and in the Hengill Geothermal Area. The route information also refers to Langjökull, so confirm the exact glacier landing point when booking.

What can I see during the flight?

The route includes views of Reykjavik, Mount Esja, Glymur Waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Lake Þingvallavatn, glaciers, volcanic terrain, and geothermal areas.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Can the landings change because of weather?

Yes. All landings depend on weather conditions and safety considerations.

What happens if I weigh more than 120 kilograms?

You must book an additional seat if you weigh more than 120 kilograms.