Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

A glacier landing followed by a stop beside boiling mud pots and hot springs is the heart of this flight. From Reykjavik, you reach places that would otherwise take hours by road and foot, while the helicopter gives you a clear view of the tectonic divide, waterfalls, lava fields, and Iceland’s volcanic interior.

I like the two landings, since they turn a scenic flight into something you can physically experience. I also like the small maximum group of six, plus the chance for each passenger to enjoy the front seat beside the pilot during the flight.

The main caution is the high price of $953.39 per person, and weather can disrupt the plan. Strong wind made one glacier visit difficult for a passenger, while another booking was canceled after poor conditions and low demand. This is a special occasion splurge, not a casual sightseeing ride.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different landings: Walk on the snow and ice of Þórisjökull, then explore the hot ground around Hengill.
• A compact Iceland sampler: See Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, lava fields, and Reykjavik from above.
• Small group of six: The limited capacity makes the flight feel more personal and helps with views and photo opportunities.
• About 15 minutes on each landing: Enough time for photos, snow play, and a close look at the geothermal area, but not a long glacier hike.
• Weather matters: Wind, cloud, and minimum booking numbers can lead to a changed route, a new date, or cancellation.
• Best for a big Iceland splurge: You pay for access, speed, scenery, and two landings rather than a conventional day tour.

Two landings, two sides of Iceland

This is not simply a helicopter ride over Reykjavik. The appeal is the contrast between its two stops. First comes the cold, open world of Þórisjökull glacier. Then the helicopter heads for the warm, steaming ground around Hengill volcano.

That contrast gives the flight a clear shape. You start with snow, ice, and mountain air. Later, you are looking at hot springs, boiling mud, and volcanic activity. It is a fast way to see two of Iceland’s defining forces in one outing.

The flight lasts roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours. That includes time in the air, the two landings, and sightseeing over several major natural and cultural sites. The exact route can change with weather and local conditions, so you should think of the published plan as a strong outline rather than a guarantee of every view.

From Reykjavik Airport to Þórisjökull glacier

You meet the pilot at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. The operator provides an English-speaking guide, and the departure point is close to public transportation. Several passengers found the airport easy to reach by taxi from downtown, but the terminal and meeting point can be confusing if you arrive without extra time.

Once airborne, the helicopter heads toward Þórisjökull. On the way, you pass over Glymur, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls. The aerial angle matters here. From above, you can take in the waterfall’s position within the surrounding ravine rather than seeing only the falling water from a trail viewpoint.

The flight also gives you a broad view of the countryside north and east of Reykjavik. You may see farmland, lava fields, mountains, and distant water depending on the route and visibility. The pilot points out notable sites and may reposition the helicopter to give passengers better views for photographs.

This is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A road trip lets you stop at selected viewpoints, but a helicopter connects many separate sights in a short time. You do not spend the day driving between them.

What a 15-minute glacier landing feels like

At Þórisjökull, the helicopter lands on or near the glacier for about 15 minutes. This is not a guided glacier trek. You get a brief chance to step out, walk around, take photographs, and enjoy the snow and ice.

That short stop is enough for the classic glacier moments: throwing snowballs, making a snow angel, or attempting a small snowman. You can also simply look across the white expanse and take in the silence and open air. For many people, stepping out of a helicopter onto a glacier will be the most memorable part of the day.

The conditions can be rough. Wind on the glacier may make it hard to stand steadily, and warm clothing is important even if Reykjavik feels mild. The supplied tour information does not promise special glacier equipment, so dress for cold and wind rather than assuming the helicopter will make the stop comfortable.

The 15-minute limit is both a strength and a weakness. You get a real landing without giving up most of the flight to a long stop. But you will not have time for a serious walk or a detailed glacier outing. If your main goal is hiking on ice, book a dedicated glacier excursion instead.

Þingvellir from the air

After the glacier, the route includes Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s Golden Circle. From the helicopter, you can see the canyon linked with the separation of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Þingvellir also carries major political importance. It was the meeting place associated with Iceland’s early parliament, making it one of the country’s key historic sites as well as a geological one. From above, the park’s rock formations, fissures, lake, and open ground fit together in a way that is difficult to grasp from a single path on the surface.

The flight does not include a landing at Þingvellir. You see it from the air, with the pilot identifying features along the way. That makes this a good add-on for someone who already plans to visit the Golden Circle, but it does not replace walking through the park if you want to study the old meeting area or follow its trails.

You also get a view of Iceland’s largest lake in this part of the route. Clear weather is especially valuable here, since cloud can hide the details that make the tectonic divide easy to understand.

Hengill’s steaming volcanic valley

The second landing takes place in the Hengill geothermal area. Hengill is a volcano, and the landing area is in a remote valley that can be reached by helicopter or on foot. The stop gives you a close look at hot springs and boiling mud pots.

This is the tour’s most unusual contrast with the glacier. Instead of white snow and cold wind, you have steam, warm ground, and the smell and color of geothermal activity. You can walk toward the hot features and observe them from close by, but you should follow the pilot’s instructions and stay aware of where you step.

You get about 15 minutes here. That is enough to photograph the steaming ground and take in the setting, but not enough for a long geothermal walk. The value comes from access. Hengill’s remote valley is not a quick stop from central Reykjavik, and reaching it by helicopter saves the effort of a hike.

The flight may also pass over older lava flows on the return journey. From above, the dark volcanic ground forms a sharp contrast with fields, lakes, and the city. The pilot can adjust the route in some cases, as one flight changed course to include a recent eruption site.

Reykjavik sights on the return flight

The tour is not only about remote nature. The route can include a view of Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s famous church, along with Mount Esja and Hvalfjörður.

Hallgrímskirkja is easy to recognize from the air because of its tall, angular form. Seeing it from above gives you a quick sense of how central it is to the city. Mount Esja provides a rugged backdrop across the bay, while Hvalfjörður adds a long, curving stretch of water to the view.

These city and coastal views help round out the outing. You are not flying straight to a glacier and back. You get a changing sequence of urban rooftops, farmland, water, mountains, volcanic ground, snow, and geothermal steam.

Photographs will be a major part of the day. Everyone on board wants a clear view, and the pilot may move the helicopter to help with sightlines. Still, glare, reflections, cloud, and seat position can affect your pictures. Bring a phone or camera you can use quickly, and do not spend the entire flight looking through a screen.

The small cabin and seat rotation

The maximum group size is six, which is a real advantage for a premium flight. You are not sharing the experience with a large coach group, and the pilot can give more direct attention to the people on board.

The cabin is not spacious, though. One passenger over 1.8 meters tall found the rear seating tight and uncomfortable, especially with four people seated behind the pilot. If you are tall or dislike confined seating, this is worth considering before paying the premium price.

A useful detail is that the two landings can allow passengers to rotate seats. That gives everyone a chance to sit beside the pilot at some point, rather than leaving one person with the best forward view for the entire flight.

Your exact seat still matters. If you are especially concerned about visibility, ask the operator about seating arrangements before departure. The flight crew works to give everyone good views, but a small helicopter cabin cannot offer identical sightlines from every position.

Why the price can make sense

At $953.39 per person, this is among the most expensive short excursions you can book from Reykjavik. The cost is not easy to justify if you are looking only at time. You spend around two hours on the experience, with roughly 15 minutes at each landing.

The value comes from what the helicopter replaces. Reaching a glacier, Þingvellir, Hengill, and several viewpoints by road would take far longer and require separate stops. You also avoid a long hike to the remote geothermal valley. For a short Iceland visit, that access can be worth more than the raw number of hours.

I would consider it best value for a special occasion, a first helicopter flight, or a short stay when you want to see remote areas without renting a car. It is less convincing for someone with several days, a flexible budget, and time to visit Iceland’s major sights independently.

The 4.8 rating from 60 reviews and 93 percent recommendation indicate a strong overall record, but the negative experiences point to a real issue: this is a weather-dependent product with a minimum number of passengers. Ask yourself if you would be comfortable rearranging your day if the flight moves or is canceled.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

Icelandic wind and cloud can change quickly. One flight was moved because of wind, with the passengers informed before the new departure. At the glacier, wind may be strong enough to make walking difficult even when the flight goes ahead.

Poor visibility can also reduce the value of the trip. If the glacier or geothermal area is covered by cloud, the operator may cancel, change the route, or offer another date. The cancellation policy allows a full refund when poor weather prevents the experience, and a full refund is also available if the minimum number of passengers is not met.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Iceland time.

I would not schedule this as the only important activity on your final day. Leave room to move it if the weather turns. The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of 53 days, so plan early if you are visiting during a busy period.

Who should book the Fire and Ice flight?

This experience suits you if you want a private-feeling overview of Iceland and do not mind paying for speed and access. It works especially well for couples, families, and first-time helicopter passengers who want both snow and geothermal scenery in the same outing.

Children can enjoy the snow stop, and the small cabin keeps the group manageable. Still, the tight rear seating may be uncomfortable for taller adults. The tour is also a poor fit if you want a long walk, a full glacier hike, or an extended soak and visit at a geothermal site.

The pilots receive frequent praise for calm handling, clear explanations, and friendly service. Pilots named in the feedback include Laura, Oliver, and Tasha. Strong winds were handled confidently on several flights, but no pilot can guarantee clear skies or gentle conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want maximum scenery in minimum driving time, and if a glacier landing plus a geothermal landing sounds worth a major splurge. The two stops feel genuinely different, and the views of Glymur, Þingvellir, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, Reykjavik, and volcanic ground give the flight plenty of variety.

Skip it if $953.39 would limit the rest of your Iceland trip, or if you prefer slow walks and close study of each site. For the right budget and the right weather, this is a memorable way to see Iceland’s cold and hot sides in one carefully packed flight.

FAQ

Where does the helicopter tour begin?

It begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík, at Reykjavik Domestic Airport in Reykjavik.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Reykjavik Domestic Airport.

How long does the experience last?

The flight and landings take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is six travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English and includes an English-speaking guide.

How many landings are included?

Two landings are included, one at Þórisjökull glacier and one in the Hengill geothermal area.

How long do you stay at each landing?

The planned time is about 15 minutes at Þórisjökull and about 15 minutes at Hengill.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund.