Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

The best part of this helicopter trip is the contrast: you go from snow and ice on Þórisjökull to steaming ground at Hengill, with Þingvellir, Glymur waterfall, lava fields, and Reykjavik below. Two landings turn this from a scenic flight into a short Iceland adventure.

I like the small maximum group of six and the chance to see places that would take hours to reach by road or trail. I also like that pilots such as Oliver, Laura, and Tasha have been praised for calm flying and clear explanations. The main catch is the price, $953.39 per person, and the helicopter cabin can feel tight, especially for taller passengers.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different landings: Walk on Þórisjökull glacier, then stop near hot springs and boiling mud pots in the Hengill area.
• Aerial Golden Circle views: You fly over Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Þingvallavatn, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, and Reykjavik sights.
• Small group format: The helicopter carries no more than six people, creating a more personal flight than a large sightseeing excursion.
• Weather matters: Wind and cloud can delay, change, or cancel the flight, and glacier views can disappear in poor conditions.
• Premium pricing: The cost makes most sense if you want several remote Iceland sights in one outing and do not want to drive long distances.
• Airport meeting point: You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport, but allow time to find the exact building.

Two Icelandic worlds in one flight

Iceland is famous for putting opposites close together. On this trip, the contrast is unusually clear. You begin above Reykjavik and head toward Þórisjökull, where the ground is white, cold, and open. Later, you land near Hengill, where the earth sends up heat, steam, and the smell of sulfur.

That change is the heart of the experience. A normal sightseeing flight gives you excellent views from the air. Here, you also step out twice. At the glacier, you can walk around, make snow angels, throw snowballs, or simply take in the wide view. At Hengill, you can approach hot springs and boiling mud pots from the landing area.

The flight lasts about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, though the exact time can vary with weather and the chosen route. The group is capped at six people. That matters in a small helicopter, where a few extra passengers can change the feel of the entire outing.

The company advertises an English-speaking pilot, and the pilot is also your guide. Names praised in the available feedback include Oliver, Laura, and Tasha. Their role matters more than it might on a simple scenic flight, since they point out waterfalls, tectonic features, lava flows, and landmarks while also managing the aircraft and landings.

From Reykjavik Domestic Airport to Glymur

Your meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. The airport is close to central Reykjavik, and a taxi can get you there from downtown. One practical warning: the exact starting point can be difficult to locate inside the airport, so give yourself extra time rather than arriving at the last minute.

Once airborne, the route heads toward Iceland’s western interior. One early highlight is Glymur, a dramatic waterfall north of the city. The flight gives you a high view of the falls without the several-hour hiking effort required to reach its usual viewpoint on foot.

This is one reason the helicopter can make sense for a short visit. You see Glymur, a glacier, Þingvellir, geothermal ground, and several coastal and mountain sights in one compact outing. You do not need to spend a full day driving between them, though you also do not get the slower roadside stops that come with a self-drive tour.

From the air, the scale of Iceland becomes easier to understand. Roads, farms, lava fields, waterfalls, and mountains fit together in a single view. The pilot may adjust the aircraft to give passengers a better look at sights that are not landing stops, although everyone should remember that visibility and wind control the route.

Þórisjökull: fifteen minutes on the glacier

The first landing is at Þórisjökull glacier. The landing time is listed as about 15 minutes, so think of this as a focused stop rather than a glacier hike.

You can get out, walk across the snow, take pictures, and enjoy the open view. The simple activities are part of the appeal. A snowball fight or snow angel feels wonderfully out of place when you have just left Reykjavik, and children may get more from this stop than from a long sightseeing lecture.

You do not need to be an experienced hiker to appreciate it. The flight removes the long approach that would otherwise take hours, leaving you with a brief chance to stand on the ice itself. That said, the glacier stop may be windy and footing can be awkward. One account described strong wind that made it hard to stay steady, so wear warm clothing and shoes that give you confidence on uneven snow.

The short stop also means you should be ready when the helicopter lands. There is time for photos and a little exploring, but not for wandering far from the aircraft. Keep your camera ready, take a few deliberate shots, and then enjoy the place without trying to record every second.

For many people, this will be the emotional high point of the trip. The glacier is not just something you see through a window. You stand on it, feel the cold air, and look out across a setting that would be difficult to reach in a short visit.

Þingvellir from above

After the glacier, the flight passes over Þingvellir National Park, one of Iceland’s most important places. Þingvellir is tied to the country’s early parliament and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From the helicopter, you can see the geological divide between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The dramatic canyon and fissures are easier to understand from above than from ground level, where you mainly follow paths between the rock walls.

The park also includes Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake. Its open water gives the flight a different color and texture after the bright snow of Þórisjökull. This portion is a viewing pass rather than one of the two landings, so the quality of the experience depends heavily on cloud cover and the pilot’s route.

You will not get the same walking time here as on a land-based Golden Circle visit. In exchange, you see the park in one broad sweep, including the connection between the lake, canyon, and surrounding volcanic ground. If Þingvellir is a major reason for your trip, consider visiting it from the ground on another day as well.

Hengill’s hot springs and boiling ground

The second landing is in the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for Hengill volcano. The remote valley is described as accessible by helicopter or by a hike, which gives this stop a sense of distance that ordinary road sightseeing does not provide.

Here, the scenery changes sharply. Instead of snow and cold, you find hot springs, steaming ground, and boiling mud pots. You can walk toward the geothermal features and observe them from close range, while staying aware that this is active ground and that the pilot’s instructions matter.

The stop is listed at about 15 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a close look, but it is not a long bathing session or a full geothermal hike. Do not book this expecting to soak in a hot spring. The value is seeing raw geothermal activity in a remote setting, not using it as a spa.

This is also where the name Fire and Ice makes practical sense. Þórisjökull provides the ice; Hengill supplies the heat. Few short excursions let you experience both underfoot.

Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður from the air

The return route includes views of Reykjavik, Hallgrímskirkja, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður. Hallgrímskirkja is one of the city’s most recognizable buildings, and its tall concrete form is easy to pick out from above.

Mount Esja gives you a strong sense of Reykjavik’s setting. The mountain rises across the bay and helps explain why the capital feels connected to open country even when you are close to the center. Hvalfjörður, or Whale Fjord, adds another broad water view to the route.

Depending on weather and the day’s routing, you may also see lava flows, farmland, craters, and the site of a recent eruption. This flexibility can work in your favor. One flight route was adjusted to include an eruption area, giving the passengers a sight that was not part of the standard list of stops.

At the same time, flexibility means you should not treat every named sight as guaranteed in perfect detail. Helicopter tours depend on wind, cloud, visibility, and safe operating conditions. The itinerary gives you a good sense of the region, but it is not a promise that every landmark will receive equal flight time.

What the small helicopter feels like

A maximum of six people keeps the group personal, but it does not mean spacious. The cabin can feel cramped, particularly for tall passengers. One account described four people seated in the back and found it tight and uncomfortable, especially for passengers over 1.80 meters tall.

Seat rotation can help. Because there are two landing stops, each person may have a chance to sit beside the pilot at some point, depending on how the operator arranges the cabin. That gives everyone a better forward view for at least part of the flight.

The pilot’s handling is a major part of the experience. Strong Icelandic winds can make passengers nervous, but pilots including Tasha and Oliver have been praised for steady flying, safe landings, and helpful explanations. A calm pilot makes a real difference when you are landing on a glacier or hovering near a geothermal valley.

If you are prone to motion sickness or uneasy in small aircraft, think carefully before paying the premium price. The views are exceptional, but the setting is still a compact helicopter rather than a roomy sightseeing plane.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

At $953.39 per person, this is an expensive excursion. You are paying for the aircraft, pilot, fuel, small group, two landings, and the ability to connect remote sights in less than two hours. Food and drinks are not included.

The price is easier to justify if your time in Iceland is short, you do not plan to rent a car, or you want a special occasion experience. Driving to several of these places would take much longer, and reaching the remote Hengill valley on foot would require a hike. The helicopter compresses a large area into one carefully planned outing.

It is harder to justify if you have several days, enjoy road trips, and mainly want to see Þingvellir or Reykjavik. You can visit many major sights by land for far less money, with more time to walk around. The helicopter is about access, speed, and the two landings, not budget sightseeing.

The strong overall rating of 4.8 from 60 ratings and a 93 percent recommendation figure suggest that the experience usually delivers what people pay for. Still, two important risks remain: weather and minimum group size. One booking was canceled because of poor weather, and another flight was replaced after the original trip did not have enough participants. The operator offered a full refund in the cancellation case, but changes can disrupt a tightly planned Iceland itinerary.

Practical details before you reserve

You receive confirmation when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. The activity returns to the same airport meeting point.

The stated passenger weight limit is 265 pounds per passenger. Check how the operator applies this rule if you are traveling with a child or carrying substantial gear.

Dress for cold and wind, even if Reykjavik feels mild. The glacier can be much harsher, and the open geothermal area offers little shelter. Since you will have short stops, wear clothing that lets you move easily and footwear suitable for snow or rough ground.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the two landings require you to get out and walk around on natural ground. If you need special assistance, ask before booking because the supplied details do not specify arrangements for mobility needs.

You can cancel without a charge up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations later than that are not refundable. If poor weather or too few participants cancel the activity, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Who should book the Fire and Ice flight?

I would choose this for a first helicopter flight, a special celebration, or a short Reykjavik visit when you want maximum scenery in minimum time. It suits people who value access and memorable landings more than a low price.

Families can enjoy the snow stop, and children may find the glacier far more exciting than a standard photo stop. Couples and photographers will appreciate the changing scenery, though strong wind and a short schedule can make photography challenging.

I would hesitate if you dislike confined cabins, need guaranteed clear views, or have no flexibility in your schedule. Icelandic weather can change plans, and the glacier may be hidden by cloud. You should also skip it if $953.39 would prevent you from enjoying the rest of your trip.

For the right person, this is a remarkable way to see Iceland’s extremes. You fly over waterfalls and tectonic ground, step onto a glacier, then stand beside hot springs in a remote volcanic valley. Book it when those two landings are worth the premium, and leave some flexibility around the flight date.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The estimated duration is about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

How many people can join the flight?

The activity has a maximum of six travelers.

What are the two landing locations?

The helicopter lands at Þórisjökull glacier and in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The experience includes an English-speaking guide and two landings.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.