From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

Fire and ice look better from a rotor. This tour strings together Þórisjökull Glacier walking time with a second stop in the Hengill geothermal area, so you feel like you’re hopping between two different planets. You’ll also fly over big names you’d normally drive to, like Glymur waterfall and Þingvellir’s rift valley, but you’ll see them from high above and lose way less time to roads.

Two things I especially like: the chance to actually land on a glacier (not just look down), and the way the route connects glacier, Golden Circle, and geothermal in one tight 2-hour window. One consideration: it’s priced as a splurge at $867 per person, and food and drinks aren’t included, so you’ll want to plan your day around that.

Key things to know before you go

• Two landings, not one: glacier first, then Mount Hengill geothermal zone
• You fly past Glymur waterfall during the route to your glacier stop
• Þingvellir sightings from the air: the rift valley and visible continental drift
• UNESCO Þingvellir stop included as part of the Golden Circle segment
• Glacier play time: photos, snowballs, snow angels, and a snowman attempt
• A small group setup capped at 6 participants

Fire and Ice From the Air: What This Two-landing Tour Does Differently

This isn’t a standard “see Iceland from the bus” day. It’s built around a simple idea: if you’re paying for a helicopter, you should get more than a view from inside a seat. Here, you get two landings, so you feel the ground under your boots—first on ice, then near hot springs and steaming mud.

The first landing is on Þórisjökull glacier, where you can walk, take photos, and do the kind of playful winter stuff that feels silly until you’re out there and it’s snowing sideways. The second landing happens in the Hengill geothermal area near boiling mud pots and hot springs, which is a totally different sensory world: steam, color-streaked ground, and that faint geothermal smell you only notice when you’re close.

The route is also smarter than “just fly to two places.” You get aerial glimpses of the Golden Circle highlights, including Þingvellir National Park, Iceland’s rift valley scene, and views of the North American and Eurasian plates. You’ll spend less time commuting and more time looking out the window at the stuff that usually takes multiple stops.

Ace FBO Reykjavik to the First Lift: Starting Smoothly

Your day starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík, meet at the spot behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. It’s a domestic-airport style start, and you’ll be welcomed and briefed by an experienced pilot before you take off.

Why that matters: helicopters can make some people tense. The nice thing here is that the trip is guided by professionals from the start, and you’re in a small group environment. You’re not squeezed with a giant crowd, and the staff focus stays on getting everyone comfortable.

Also note the basic pace: the whole experience is about 2 hours, so you won’t get a long “hang around and wonder” day. It’s a punchy format—take off, land, walk, fly, land again—then back to the same starting point.

Þórisjökull Glacier Landing: Snowballs, Silence, and Real Time on Ice

The standout moment is the first stop: a landing on Þórisjökull glacier. You’ll get there by helicopter, and the flight time means you skip the hours of hiking that would normally come with reaching this kind of glacier terrain.

Once you arrive, you’ll have a chance to meander across the glacier and take photos from that rare, close-up angle where the ice actually fills your frame. The tour also leans into play time. You can throw snowballs, try making a snow angel, and even attempt a snowman if conditions and safety rules allow.

One of the practical perks of doing this by helicopter is how much you actually experience without needing glacier skills. You’re not trying to navigate crevasses or read ice like a pro. You’re there for the scale and the quiet—one of those places where the silence hits harder because you’re surrounded by snow and sky.

Photo-wise, this is where your camera gets its workout. From the ground, the textures are crisp: ice edges, snow drifts, and the way light hits the glacier surface. From the helicopter, you’ll also get a different view—more dramatic angles and a sense of how the ice sits in the wider terrain.

Glymur to Þingvellir: Why the Golden Circle Segment Feels Faster by Air

On the way to the glacier, the route includes a flight over Glymur, described as Iceland’s highest and famous waterfall. Even if you’ve seen waterfall photos before, the aerial look changes the story. Waterfalls become geometry—threads and ribbons dropping from a height you can’t quite measure on foot.

After the glacier landing, you’ll head toward Þingvellir National Park, part of the Golden Circle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What makes this stop feel special isn’t just the famous “between two continents” concept. You’ll be able to gaze at the sparkling waters of Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake in the Þingvellir area.

Then there’s the rift valley. From above, you can see the split that marks the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. The tour’s angle is a big deal for anyone who finds the Golden Circle overwhelming: you still get the headline sites, but you don’t have to spend your day driving between viewpoints and walking only to find a crowded parking lot and a short view.

A balanced note: Þingvellir has a lot to see from the ground too. This experience doesn’t replace a dedicated on-foot Þingvellir visit. It does, however, give you a fast, high-impact way to understand the tectonic drama and then move on while your day is still fresh.

Mount Hengill and the Geothermal Area: Mud Pots, Steam, and Color-Streaked Ground

The second landing brings you to the Hengill Geothermal Area, tied to the Hengill volcano in a remote valley. One of the neat points here is that the valley is described as accessible only by helicopter or a hike, so your helicopter stop is doing real work—it’s getting you to a place that’s hard to reach by normal road travel.

Once you land, you’ll be close to hot springs and boiling mud pots. The tour includes a walk toward them where you can observe from very up close. This is one of those moments where your brain shifts from “how does this form?” to “this is alive.” Steam rises around you, and the ground can look streaked with dramatic tones—rusty reds, yellows, and grays.

And yes, there’s often wildlife in the mix. In one standout experience, the area had wild big horn sheep nearby, and they didn’t seem bothered by the helicopter landing. That’s the kind of surprise that makes a helicopter day feel less like a canned ride and more like a real encounter with the environment.

You also get a sense of how volcanic activity shapes daily life in Iceland. From the air, Iceland can look like one big rock and snow scene. From Hengill at ground level, it’s suddenly obvious that heat and chemistry are part of the scenery, not a separate chapter.

Price and Value: Is $867 Worth Two Landings and a Full Circuit?

At $867 per person, this is absolutely a splurge. Helicopters aren’t cheap anywhere, and Iceland helicopter pricing tends to reflect demand, fuel, and the cost of landing operations.

So what are you paying for, beyond “feels fancy”?

• Two landing experiences: one on Þórisjökull glacier, one in the Hengill geothermal zone
• Time saved: you skip hours of hiking and compress multiple major stops into a tight 2-hour run
• High-impact viewpoints: Glymur, Þingvellir, and the continental rift view from above
• Small group size limited to 6 participants, which changes the vibe

The value question comes down to your priorities. If you love driving and hiking and you want to build your own route with public viewpoints, you can absolutely fill a trip without paying this kind of money. But if you want one day where Iceland is experienced at “wow” speed—actual ground access plus a lot of aerial geography—this price starts to make sense.

My practical take: think of it as buying a shortcut to rare moments. You’re not just paying for flight time; you’re paying to stand on ice and then stand beside geothermal action.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This tour fits best if you:

• want adrenaline and a helicopter ride that’s more than a quick scenic loop
• care about photos, especially getting close to glacier ice and geothermal ground
• prefer a small group pace with an English-speaking guide
• don’t want to spend your day on long hikes to reach remote areas

It can be less ideal if you:

• have a limited budget and would rather split your money across multiple days or activities
• expect food to be included (it isn’t, so plan snacks or a meal before/after)
• dislike being outdoors in cold conditions (glacier time means real winter exposure)

If you’re anxious about helicopters, this tour still has a good argument for you. The experience starts with a pilot greeting and an established process, and the flight itself is brief enough that your nerves don’t have time to spiral.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Day in the Air

A couple of practical points will help you make this day feel easy.

First, dress like you’re expecting glacier-level cold. Even if you’ve worn Iceland wool for days already, the glacier stop is real outdoor time, and you’ll likely feel it on your skin when you’re standing still for photos.

Second, bring a camera plan. You’ll want a quick way to access your phone or camera for windows shots during flight, plus quick shots on the glacier and at Hengill. The helicopter angle is great for wide views, but the landing moments are where close-up photos happen.

Finally, remember it’s a small-group helicopter tour. That means you’ll get attention when you need it, but you should also be ready to move promptly between briefings, walking time, and seating.

Should You Book This? My Decision Guide

Book this if you want one unforgettable day that mixes glacier walking and geothermal steaming without spending your holiday hours on roads and long hikes. The two landings are the whole point, and they’re exactly what turns this from a flight into a memory you can feel under your boots.

Skip it if you’re chasing “value” in the strict budget sense. This is not the tour to choose if you’re trying to stretch every dollar. It’s the choice if you want one big highlight and you’re willing to pay for rare access.

If you’re on the fence, I’d make the call based on one question: do you want to actually stand on the glacier and stand near boiling mud pots, or do you just want to look from above? If your answer is the first one, this tour earns its price.

FAQ

How long is the Fire and Ice helicopter tour with 2 landings?

The tour duration is listed as 2 hours, though starting times depend on availability.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What landings are included?

The tour includes landing on Mount Hengill and on Þórisjökull Glacier.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What group size should I expect?

This is a small group tour limited to 6 participants.

What languages are available for the guide and audio?

The live tour guide is English, and an English audio guide is also included.

What if I’m over 125 kgs?

If you are over 125 kgs, you will have to book an additional seat.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.