From Reykjavik: Helicopter Tour to Hengill with Landing

Steam beats the view. Fast.

This helicopter tour from Reykjavik is built around one simple idea: you don’t just look at Iceland’s geothermal world from the air, you land in Hengill and get a guided look at steaming activity. I like the focus on Iceland’s raw volcanic energy, with big aerial views over lava fields and basalt mountains, then a short time on the ground to connect the science to what you’re seeing.

My two favorite parts are the on-the-ground landing experience and the volcano explanations. The English live guide (Laura is specifically mentioned in feedback as friendly and professional) and the pilot’s calm commentary turn the flight route into a story you can actually follow. One thing to weigh: it’s a short, high-impact trip, so the time on the geothermal landing isn’t long enough for a long wander.

Key Things I’d Prioritize

• A true Hengill landing, not just a flyover, so you can see geothermal steam and textures up close
• Hellisheiði plateau aerial views of lava fields, basalt mountains, and scattered steam activity
• Clear volcano talk in English from the live guide, with extra audio support
• Small group size (up to 5), which helps the pilot and guide keep things calm and personal
• Geothermal power plant landmarks called out in the sights: Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun
• Short guided time on land (roughly 15 minutes) that’s designed to hit the highlights fast

Flying Reykjavik to Hengill: The Timing That Makes It Feel Special

The total tour time is listed as 1 hour, but the actual experience runs about 50–70 minutes. Inside that window, you get a guided portion (about 25–35 minutes) and then around 15 minutes for the landing in the Hengill geothermal area.

That timing matters because it shapes the whole mood. You’re not committing to a half-day excursion—this is a focused hit of geothermal Iceland. It also means you’re likely to get back with enough daylight energy to do something else in Reykjavik, rather than burning the whole day.

Ace FBO Reykjavík: Getting Onboard Without Fuss

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík. That’s one of the practical advantages of this setup: the materials note skip the ticket line, so you’re spending less time waiting around and more time preparing for the flight.

The group is small—limited to 5 participants—which changes how the experience feels. In a smaller group, it’s easier for the guide and pilot to manage questions and keep the tour moving without the awkward pace of larger buses. If you prefer your big-ticket experiences to feel controlled and quiet, this is the right size.

Hellisheiði From Above: Lava Fields, Basalt Mountains, and Steam You Can Read

The heart of the tour is flying across the Hellisheiði plateau, which is described as one of Iceland’s most active volcanic regions. From above, you’ll see lava fields that are beaten flat and covered with moss, broken up by brighter basalt formations, and punctuated by geothermal steam activity.

What I like about this part is how the aerial perspective turns Iceland’s geology into something readable. Hellisheiði is one of those places where the ground looks chaotic from street level, but from a helicopter you can spot patterns—where lava streams cooled, where terrain changed, and where activity seems to rise in thin columns.

The tour framing also mentions distance markers like rows of cairns snaking across the terrain. Cairns are subtle on foot, but from the air they become visual threads that help you orient yourself and feel how large the volcanic field really is.

A note on the sights list: it includes Hellisheidi and also references Vopnafjordur Iceland in the highlights. I’d treat that as part of the route’s broader “big Iceland views” concept. In other words, you’re not only sightseeing geothermal points—you’re getting wide-region scenery designed to make Iceland feel immense.

Hengill Geothermal Landing: The Moment It Stops Being Abstract

The standout feature is the landing in the Hengill geothermal area, named after the Hengill volcano. This is where the tour moves from impressive to memorable, because you’re no longer just watching from the sky—you’re standing (briefly) where geothermal energy shapes the ground.

The plan allocates about 15 minutes for the landing portion. That short window is intentional. Instead of a long on-foot tour, you get a focused look at geothermal sources and steam, guided so you know what you’re seeing as you see it.

In the feedback, pilots are described as showing geothermal sources around the landing area. That’s the kind of thing you don’t want to miss: it turns steam into something you can connect to geothermal systems, rather than just impressive weather-looking clouds.

Spotting the Power Plants: Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun

The tour highlights specifically call out Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun. Even if you’re not a technical geology person, these names help you place Iceland’s geothermal activity in a real-world context: this isn’t just natural spectacle. It’s also harnessed energy.

Here’s how I’d use this on-the-fly information: treat the power plant references as a guide to what’s happening under the ground. When your guide and pilot talk about steam and heat, the power plant names help anchor it. You can look at the terrain and think, okay—this is the energy source feeding infrastructure.

Nesjavallavirkjun is also listed with an address in the materials (Tryggvagata 34). That’s not something most helicopter tours bother with, and it signals that the tour is designed with specific geothermal sites in mind, not random scenic flying.

Bláfjöll and the Wider Iceland View: Why This Route Feels Bigger

The sights list also includes Bláfjöll. Even if your main emotional payoff is the Hengill landing, Bláfjöll helps widen the frame. It reinforces that you’re flying through more than one “type” of Iceland scenery—geothermal fields and volcanic terrain, plus other distinct mountain regions.

There’s also a mention of steam hot springs in the tour description. Hot springs are the kind of detail that stays meaningful when you connect them to what’s happening at geothermal sites. In a helicopter tour, you’re moving fast, but those steam features give you anchors you can mentally tag.

Guide and Pilot Energy: Getting the Volcano Story in Plain English

This tour leans hard on explanation, and that’s a big reason people rate it well. You get a live tour guide in English plus English audio as backup. That matters because aerial travel can be noisy, and you’ll want the narration to be consistent even if you’re craning your neck for a sight.

One review specifically mentions that Laura is friendly and professional, and she shares useful volcano information. Another emphasizes that the pilot explains things calmly and provides interesting info about Reykjavik and the surrounding area during the flight.

In practical terms, this is what you want for a helicopter tour. Without guidance, the flight can turn into a blur of terrain. With it, you start recognizing patterns—lava texture, geothermal steam placement, and why these volcanic systems matter.

The Price ($529): Is It Worth It for What You Actually Get?

At $529 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. But helicopter tours in Iceland cost what they do for one reason: they replace hours of driving and hiking with a very short window of aerial access to places that would be time-consuming to reach.

So here’s the value equation I’d use:

• You pay for access and perspective. Flying over Hellisheiði’s volcanic areas gives you a viewpoint you simply can’t replicate from the ground in the same time.
• You pay for landing time. Many tours stop at flight. Here, the experience includes a landing in Hengill, with a guided look at geothermal sources.
• You pay for small-group comfort. Limited to 5 participants, which helps the guidance feel less rushed.

The main trade-off is the time on land. The landing is roughly 15 minutes, so you’re not getting a long immersive hike or a full-day geothermal deep dive. If you want long time outdoors and lots of walking, this might feel too short. If you want a high-impact Iceland signature moment, the price starts to make sense.

Who This Helicopter Tour Fits Best

This is a good fit if you:

• Want a short, dramatic experience that pairs aerial geology with a real geothermal landing
• Like tours where the guide explains what you’re seeing in English
• Prefer a small group experience rather than a large crowd scenario

This is not a great fit if you:

• Are pregnant, because the tour is explicitly listed as not suitable for pregnant women
• Want long time on the ground for extended exploring, since the landing portion is brief

Also, if you’re the type who hates waiting around, the note about skip the ticket line and the tight duration are worth paying attention to.

Book or Skip: My Decision Filter for Hengill Landings

I’d book this tour if you’re aiming for an Iceland memory that feels both scientific and cinematic: lava fields from above, then steam close enough to understand it. The combination of Hengill landing, English guidance, and a small group makes it feel focused rather than flashy.

I’d hesitate if you’re sensitive to the idea of short land time. You’ll get highlights, not a long exploration. And at $529, you’ll want to be sure you’re buying the helicopter experience, not just geothermal scenery.

If that’s you, this tour is likely to deliver exactly what it promises: a guided flight over Hellisheiði’s volcanic zones, followed by a real on-the-ground look at Hengill’s geothermal power and steam.

FAQ

How long is the helicopter tour to Hengill with landing?

The tour duration is listed as 1 hour, and the experience time is described as about 50–70 minutes total, including guided time and landing time.

What’s included besides the helicopter ride?

The tour includes a landing in the Hengill geothermal area.

Where do we meet in Reykjavik?

You meet at Ace FBO Reykjavík.

Is there an English guide and audio?

Yes. There is a live tour guide in English, and an English audio guide is included.

How big is the group?

It’s a small group limited to 5 participants.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve and pay later?

Yes. You can reserve now and pay later, keeping travel plans flexible.