Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

The best part of this helicopter flight is the sharp contrast between its two landings: snow and ice on Þórisjökull glacier, followed by steaming ground and hot springs in the Hengill volcanic area. In one compact trip, you see parts of Iceland that would take much longer to reach on foot or by road.

I like the small maximum of six people, which keeps the flight more personal, and I like that the pilot points out major sights rather than simply ferrying you from one stop to the next. Pilots named Oliver, Laura, and Tasha have been singled out for their calm handling and clear explanations.

The main drawback is the price, $953.39 per person. The rear seats can also feel tight, especially for taller adults, and wind or cloud can force a delay, route change, or cancellation.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different landings: Spend about 15 minutes on Þórisjökull glacier, then another 15 minutes near Hengill’s hot springs and mud pots.
• Aerial Golden Circle views: The route includes Þingvellir National Park, Iceland’s largest lake, the tectonic rift, and views toward Mount Esja.
• Small-group flight: The helicopter carries no more than six people, creating a more private feel than a large sightseeing bus.
• Weather controls the day: Strong wind and cloud can delay the trip or reduce what you see.
• A premium time-saver: You reach remote ice and geothermal ground without spending hours hiking or driving.
• Simple airport meeting point: The tour begins and ends at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport.

Two landings, one compact Iceland adventure

This is not just a scenic helicopter ride over Reykjavik. The flight is built around two brief but memorable landings, each offering a different side of Iceland.

First comes Þórisjökull, a glacier where you can step out, walk across the snow, take pictures, make snow angels, or start a snowball fight. Then the helicopter continues to Hengill, a volcanic area with hot springs and boiling mud pots close to the landing site.

That pairing gives the trip its character. You are not simply looking down at Iceland from a window. You get a chance to stand on the ground in two remote settings, even though the total tour lasts only about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

I see this as a good option for you if your time in Reykjavik is short, you do not want to rent a car, or you want a special outing that feels very different from the usual Golden Circle bus trip. It is also useful if hiking to a glacier or geothermal valley is not practical for you.

Leaving Reykjavik for Glymur waterfall

The experience starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík, at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. The airport is close to the city center and can be reached by taxi, but allow extra time to find the correct aviation building. One person found the airport meeting point confusing, so do not assume the main passenger terminal is the right place.

After meeting your pilot, you head north from Reykjavik toward Glymur waterfall. The route gives you an early taste of the trip’s value: you can see a famous waterfall from above without committing half a day to a hike.

Glymur was once widely known as Iceland’s highest waterfall, and its narrow setting makes an aerial view especially useful. From a helicopter, you can take in the waterfall and surrounding valleys in a way that is hard to match from the ground.

The aircraft may adjust its position so people can get a better view of sights along the route. That matters because a helicopter cabin is small, and the person seated on one side may otherwise have a much better angle than the person opposite.

Þórisjökull glacier: snow, wind, and wide views

The first landing is on Þórisjökull glacier. You have about 15 minutes on the ice, enough time for photos and a short walk rather than a full glacier hike.

You can play in the snow, make a snow angel, build a small snowman, or simply take in the open view. For many people, this will be the most playful part of the tour. It is also the clearest reason to choose a helicopter instead of a standard sightseeing flight.

The glacier stop is not a guided technical ice walk. It is a short landing where you can experience the setting directly. That keeps the trip easy and accessible for most people, but you should not expect climbing equipment, a long trek, or a detailed glacier safety course.

I would dress for exposure even if the weather looks pleasant in Reykjavik. Wind can be much stronger on the glacier, and one account described the landing as so windy that staying steady was difficult. Warm layers and secure footwear make more sense here than city shoes and a light jacket.

The 15-minute stop passes quickly. Use your time well: take a few portraits, get a wide photo of the ice, and leave a moment simply to look around. The helicopter itself provides shelter before and after the landing, but you will be outside on open snow during the stop.

Þingvellir from above: parliament and the tectonic rift

After the glacier, the flight heads toward Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s well-known Golden Circle. From above, the park is easier to understand as a meeting point of water, rock, and history.

Þingvellir is associated with the world’s oldest existing parliament. It is also known for the visible divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. From the air, the canyon and fissures make the geological setting easier to see than they can be from a path at ground level.

The route also gives you views of Iceland’s largest lake. Looking down from the helicopter helps connect the lake, the park, and the surrounding valleys into one broad scene.

This section is sightseeing rather than a landing. That distinction is worth noting if Þingvellir is the main reason you are booking. You will see the park from the air, but you will not walk its historic paths or spend time at the visitor facilities.

Still, the aerial view adds something a road tour cannot. You can see the shape of the rift and the scale of the park in one glance, without traffic or long stops. The pilot’s commentary is important here, so listen for the explanation of the park’s history and geology.

Hengill geothermal area: steam and volcanic ground

The second landing takes place in the Hengill Geothermal Area. The area is named for Hengill volcano and sits in a remote valley that can be reached by helicopter or hiking.

Here, the scenery changes again. Instead of glacier snow, you find hot springs, boiling mud pots, and steaming ground. You can walk toward the geothermal features and observe them from close range, while still following the pilot’s directions and keeping a sensible distance from unstable or hot ground.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a short look around, but it is not a long geothermal hike. If you want a full day among hot springs, this is not a substitute for a land-based excursion.

I like the contrast between the two stops. The glacier is open, bright, and cold. Hengill feels more enclosed and active, with heat coming from below the surface. Seeing both in one flight gives you a quick lesson in the forces that shape Iceland.

The ground can be wet, muddy, or uneven around geothermal areas. Wear practical clothing, and do not count on staying perfectly clean. The point is to see the features up close, not to visit a polished attraction with paved paths.

Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Whale Fjordur on the return

The flight also includes views of Reykjavik, Hallgrímskirkja church, Mount Esja, and Whale Fjordur. These sights help place the remote stops in relation to the capital and the coast.

Hallgrímskirkja is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable landmarks. From the helicopter, you get a city view rather than the usual street-level perspective. The church may be a quick sighting, but it gives you a familiar reference point after the wilderness portions of the flight.

Mount Esja rises across the bay from Reykjavik and is a major feature of the city’s horizon. Whale Fjordur, known in Icelandic as Hvalfjörður, brings the route into a quieter coastal setting with broad water and mountain views.

The return route can include lava fields and farmland as well. I appreciate this variety because Iceland can look very different from one minute to the next: dark lava, green or brown fields, blue water, snow, and steaming earth may all appear in the same flight.

Exact views depend on weather, light, and the route selected that day. The pilot may change the course to make the most of conditions, including a recent eruption site when that is possible. That flexibility can improve the flight, but it also means you should not treat every listed sight as guaranteed.

What the small helicopter cabin is really like

The maximum group size is six, but the cabin can still feel close. One account described four people in the rear as cramped, particularly for adults taller than 1.80 meters. If you are tall, ask the operator about seating before booking rather than assuming the aircraft will feel spacious.

The seating arrangement may give each person a chance to sit beside the pilot at some point. That is a nice feature for photographs and views, especially on a first helicopter flight.

Still, you should expect aviation seating, not an executive lounge. Legroom and window angles can vary by seat. Keep your expectations realistic, and bring only what you need for the flight.

The pilot is a major part of the experience. Pilots such as Oliver, Laura, and Tasha have been praised for making people feel safe, explaining the sights, and handling strong wind calmly. That combination matters more here than polished entertainment because the trip depends on both flying skill and clear judgment.

English guiding is included. Food and drinks are not included, so eat before you arrive and bring only items permitted by the operator. The tour begins and ends at the airport meeting point.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

At $953.39 per person, this is a luxury splurge. I would not call it an economical way to see Iceland. A road trip, public excursion, or self-drive day will cost far less per person.

The value comes from time and access. In roughly two hours, you reach a glacier, a remote geothermal valley, Glymur, Þingvellir, Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Whale Fjordur. Reaching those places by road would require much more planning and, in some cases, hiking.

The price makes more sense for a special occasion, a short stay, a private-feeling outing, or anyone who places a high value on seeing remote ground without spending a day in a vehicle. It makes less sense if you already have several full days for Iceland’s major road routes.

The flight also gives you views that a bus cannot provide. You see the form of the rift, the spread of lava fields, and the relationship between the capital, coast, mountains, and interior. If aerial photography or a first helicopter flight is important to you, the premium may feel justified.

I would still compare the cost with your full Iceland budget. At nearly $1,000 per person, this one activity can equal several days of meals, transport, and sightseeing. Book it because the format matters to you, not because it is the cheapest route to the Golden Circle.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. Iceland’s wind and cloud can change quickly, and poor conditions may delay the flight, alter the route, or cancel the trip.

If the operator cancels for weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached. One flight was reportedly changed because of wind, with the passengers informed in advance before a later departure went ahead.

That flexibility is useful, but it creates a planning issue. Do not schedule this as the only possible highlight of your trip on your final morning. Booking it earlier gives you more room to move the flight if conditions turn bad.

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.

The tour is offered in English, confirmation arrives when you book, and most people can participate. The stated maximum passenger weight is 265 pounds per person. Check this requirement carefully before paying, especially if more than one person in your party has a higher body weight.

The tour is booked, on average, 53 days ahead. That does not guarantee every departure sells out, but it tells me you should plan ahead if your Reykjavik dates are fixed.

Who should book the Fire and Ice flight?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want maximum variety in a short time. It is especially well suited to:

• First-time helicopter passengers who want an easy, scenic introduction
• Couples marking a special trip
• Families who will enjoy snow play and a short, exciting flight
• People who do not want to drive long distances
• Photographers seeking aerial views and unusual ground-level stops
• Anyone with limited time in Reykjavik

I would think twice if you dislike small aircraft, need lots of legroom, or want extended time at each location. The glacier and geothermal stops are short, and the rear seats may feel tight.

I would also avoid booking it if you need a guaranteed view of every named sight. Icelandic weather controls the show. Cloud may hide the glacier or mountains, and wind can make the outdoor stops uncomfortable.

FAQ

Where does the 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 experience last?

The total duration is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of six travelers.

Where does the helicopter land?

The helicopter makes two landings, one on Þórisjökull glacier and one in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

Is food included?

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

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a memorable, high-cost shortcut to Iceland’s extremes. The glacier landing, geothermal stop, small group, and views over Þingvellir create a varied experience that would be difficult to reproduce in two hours by car.

Skip it if your budget is tight, you prefer long walks and unhurried stops, or you are uncomfortable with cramped helicopter seating. For everyone else, especially couples and short-stay visitors, this is one of the clearest ways to turn a limited Reykjavik visit into a broad view of Iceland’s ice, fire, water, and volcanic ground.