Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

This tour is interesting because it packs two very different Iceland worlds into about two hours: a glacier landing and a geothermal valley landing, both reached by helicopter. You get a front-row view of places you normally have to plan and drive for, and you also get time to get outside, not just watch from the air.

I really like the small-group feel (max 6), which makes the flight more personal and photo-friendly. You’ll also enjoy the hands-on fun at the glacier, including time for a snowball fight and glacier-walk photos. One consideration: the glacier stop can be windy, so plan for cold hands, gusty footing, and come dressed for weather, not just sun.

Key things to know before you go

• Two landings in one tour: Þórisjökull glacier first, then Hengill geothermal area
• Glymur waterfall flyover on the way out of Reykjavik
• Þingvellir UNESCO views from above, including the canyon between the American and Eurasian tectonic plates
• Hengill’s up-close geothermal terrain, including hot springs and boiling mud pots you can walk toward
• Small group max 6, so you get more attention from the pilot for viewpoints and photos
• One English-speaking pilot-led experience starting and ending at Ace FBO in Reykjavik

Why this Fire and Ice route is worth your limited time in Reykjavik

If you only have a day (or even half a day) around Reykjavik, this is a smart use of time. You’re not just flying over Iceland. You’re landing on two dramatic “planet surfaces” in the same outing: an ice field and a geothermal zone where the ground looks like it’s still being written.

The big value here is compression. Driving for hours and then hiking is the normal way to do parts of this route. With a helicopter, you trade effort for access. You still get real moments on the ground, not just a quick “look and leave.”

And at up to 6 travelers, you feel less like a seat number and more like a small group on a guided, pilot-led mission. That matters, because helicopter routes and angles are all about timing and visibility.

Meeting at Ace FBO Reykjavik: quick start, clean routine, easy end

Your tour meets at Ace FBO Reykjavík, Reykjavik Airport. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not have to plan a second transport step later.

You’ll receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation comes at booking time. It’s also listed as near public transportation, which can help if you want to avoid taxi wrangling. The catch is simple: airports can feel confusing. One review noted it was hard to find the exact starting point inside the airport, so I’d treat this like a “get there early” day and give yourself extra time to confirm where to go.

The flight itself is about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, so this is not an all-day commitment. Still, show up ready for a weather-dependent schedule, because the experience does require good conditions.

Glymur to Þórisjökull: the helicopter phase that makes the glacier feel close

Right away, the pilot greets you at the airport and flies you toward Þórisjökull glacier. Along the way, you get an aerial moment over Glymur, Iceland’s famous waterfall. From the air, waterfalls read differently. You see the full drop, the valley shape, and how the water threads through the terrain rather than just the splash at the bottom.

Then comes the first landing, and that’s where the tour earns its name. Instead of hiking for hours to earn glacier views, you start from the sky and drop onto ice. That means you get more time doing the fun stuff, like walking around on the glacier surface and taking photos from multiple angles.

What I’d watch for here is comfort. Reviews mention the glacier stop can be extremely windy, which can make it challenging to stand steady and move around confidently. Wear warm layers, keep your hands free so you can grip rails or railings if provided, and plan for gusts that can feel stronger than you expect once you’re on open ice.

Glacier landing time: snowball chaos, photos, and how to enjoy it safely

Your glacier stop is set for about 15 minutes, and the goal is not long-distance hiking. You’re meant to get out, look around, and enjoy the experience. You can meander across the ice, take photos, and do classic glacier activities like making snow angels, throwing snowballs, or trying to build a snowman.

This is the kind of stop where the “best photos” come from small choices:

• Walk a few steps away from the landing area for a cleaner horizon line
• Take at least one shot with your footprints or tracks visible, it adds scale
• If it’s windy, hold phones and cameras firmly before you pose

Even if you’re not a winter-activities person, you’ll probably still love the contrast. Standing on glacier snow in Iceland, with steep terrain stretching away, makes the place feel huge in a way a photo can’t fully capture. And the air feels sharp and cold, which adds to the sensation.

Just respect the conditions. Wind plus ice equals slippery surfaces. Keep your balance, move slowly, and listen to the pilot or crew if they give safety guidance on where to stand or how to move.

Þingvellir on the Golden Circle: UNESCO from above, tectonics right overhead

After the glacier, the flight shifts toward the Golden Circle area, with a stop at Þingvellir National Park. This is UNESCO World Heritage territory and a key place in Icelandic political history, described here as the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament.

From the air, Þingvellir becomes more than a sightseeing stop. You get a top-down look at the canyon where the American and Eurasian plates are splitting. That continental drift becomes visible in a way that makes the geology feel real, not abstract.

You also get a view over a large body of water described as Iceland’s largest lake, plus you can spot the “imprints of the Vikings” from above when you look down toward areas tied to early Icelandic governance.

What I like about this part is that it balances the fantasy. One landing is play-on-ice, the next is geothermal heat. Þingvellir is the grounding stop that explains why Iceland looks the way it does. It’s an area where the ground is literally doing something, and you get to see it from a perspective most people miss when they only look at it from trails.

One practical note: you’re spending your time efficiently, but you won’t have hours here. Plan to take in the big visuals and grab photos quickly, rather than treating this like a full hiking day.

Hengill geothermal landing: hot springs and boiling mud pots up close

The second landing is at Hengill, a geothermal area named after Hengill volcano. The valley is remote and can only be accessed by helicopter or by a hike, which is part of what makes this stop feel special.

Here, the “fire and ice” theme gets real. You’re in a place where geothermal energy shapes the ground. Expect hot springs and boiling mud pots that you can walk toward and observe from very close range.

This is the type of stop where you’ll want to control your pace. Geothermal areas can look calm from a distance, but up close they can steam, bubble, and shift temperature. Wear shoes you trust on uneven ground, keep an eye on where you place your feet, and follow any guidance provided by your pilot and guide.

The up-close aspect is also why this tour can feel worth the money even when the time is short. Helicopters make access possible, but what you do with that access is the payoff. Standing near geothermal features and seeing them from a few steps away turns “Iceland has geysers” into “Iceland has active, boiling ground right in front of you.”

Short Reykjavik and nearby flyovers: Hallgrímkirkja, Mount Esja, and Whale Fjörður

Between landings, and on the return, you’ll also see Reykjavik from the air. The route includes a view of Hallgrímkirkja church, a glimpse of Mount Esja, and an aerial look at the Whale Fjörður area.

These are the kinds of views that make the helicopter portion feel like a tour, not just a transfer. Hallgrímkirkja is a recognizable anchor point, and Mount Esja gives you a sense of how close Iceland’s big terrain sits to the capital.

If you like architecture and city context, these flyovers help you connect the dots. You see where the flight started, where Reykjavik sits, and how the surrounding features lead you toward glaciers and geothermal zones.

Price and value: what $953.39 per person really buys

Let’s talk money, because this tour is not cheap. At $953.39 per person, you’re paying for speed, access, and the fact you do more than one major Iceland region in one outing.

Here’s what you actually get for that price, based on what’s included:

• English guide (and a pilot-led experience)
• Two landings (Þórisjökull glacier, plus Hengill geothermal area)
• A helicopter flight that also covers major viewpoints and flyovers along the way

So the real value isn’t “Iceland from the sky.” Tons of tours can do that. The value is landing on the glacier and landing again in the geothermal valley, each with active time to explore. That’s hard to reproduce with driving and hiking on a short schedule.

In my view, this is best for you if you’re:

• short on time and want big Iceland hits without long days in the car
• willing to pay to reduce physical effort
• traveling with someone who also wants a once-in-a-while, bucket-list style day

If you’re budget-driven or you enjoy planning and hiking, you might choose a self-guided Golden Circle day instead. But if you want the “land on ice, then walk toward boiling mud pots” combination, this price starts to make sense.

Tips to make the day smoother (and get better photos)

Because the helicopter route depends on good weather, keep your expectations flexible. This is an experience built around conditions, not just a fixed script.

Here are practical moves I’d use:

• Dress in warm layers. Even in mild Reykjavik weather, glacier and geothermal areas can feel colder or more biting due to wind.
• Expect wind on the glacier landing. Reviews point out it can be hard to keep your balance, so plan to take photos quickly and move carefully.
• Wear sturdy shoes. You’ll be walking on glacier ice and around geothermal ground, so grip matters.
• Get to the airport area early. The exact start location can be tricky, especially if you are not used to navigating an airport in a foreign country.

For photos, remember that your best shots may happen when everyone settles. If you wait for a quieter moment after landing, you’ll get cleaner images without constant helicopter noise and without rushing.

Who this helicopter tour suits best

This tour fits best if you want a “high impact, low effort” day in Iceland.

I’d especially recommend it for:

• couples and small groups who want an intimate feel (max 6)
• travelers who hate long drives but still want to see glacier, tectonics, and geothermal terrain
• families with kids who can handle short bursts of walking and standing (the glacier stop is built around playful time)

It may be less ideal if you have mobility limits that make windy, potentially slippery ground difficult. Also note the listed total weight per passenger is 265 lbs, which can matter for comfort and safety planning.

Should you book the Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour?

Book it if you want the rare combo of glacier play plus geothermal walking, and you want it in under two hours without a marathon day of driving and hiking. The small group size and the two landings are the heart of the value.

Skip it or consider alternatives if you’re sensitive to wind or you need very steady ground for comfort. Also, if your schedule is rigid and you dislike weather-dependent plans, keep backup expectations in mind. Iceland is real weather, not a theme park.

If you match the target audience, this tour can feel like getting two Iceland “core experiences” in one flight. It’s not just scenic. It’s hands-on, and it makes Reykjavik feel like the gateway to the wild, fast.

FAQ

How long is the Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour?

It lasts about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport and ends back at the same meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many landings are included?

This experience includes 2 landings.

What are the main places you visit during the tour?

You fly to Þórisjökull glacier for the first landing, then to the Hengill Geothermal Area for the second landing. The route also includes views of Glymur, Þingvellir National Park, Hallgrímkirkja, Mount Esja, and Whale Fjörður.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What is the group size?

The maximum group size is 6 travelers.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The total weight per passenger is listed as 265 lbs.

What happens if the tour is canceled?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if a minimum number of travelers is not met, with an alternative date or full refund offered.