Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

The best part of this Fire and Ice helicopter tour is the contrast: one landing puts you on the snowy Þórisjökull glacier, while the next brings you close to boiling mud pots and hot springs in the Hengill volcanic area. In roughly two hours, you see parts of Iceland that would take much longer to reach on foot or by road.

I like the small group, capped at six people, and the chance to step out onto both ice and volcanic ground. I also like the way the route links major sights, from Glymur waterfall and Þingvellir to Mount Esja and Hvalfjörður, without asking you to spend a full day behind the wheel.

The main drawback is the price: $953.39 per person is a serious splurge. The helicopter cabin can also feel tight, especially in the rear seats, and Icelandic wind or cloud may force a delay, change of route, or cancellation.

Key points to know before you book

• Two very different landings: Spend about 15 minutes on Þórisjökull glacier, then another 15 minutes near Hengill’s hot springs and boiling mud pots.
• A six-person maximum: This is a small, personal flight rather than a large sightseeing operation.
• A broad aerial route: Look for Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Lake Þingvallavatn, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, lava fields, and Reykjavik landmarks.
• Front-seat time may be shared: One review notes that the group rotated so each person could sit beside the pilot.
• Weather matters: Wind, cloud, and minimum-group rules can change the plan, so keep some flexibility in your schedule.
• Meet at Reykjavik Domestic Airport: The departure point is Ace FBO Reykjavík, and finding the correct airport area may take extra attention.

Two Icelandic worlds in one short flight

This is not simply a helicopter ride with a quick photo stop. The tour is built around two landings that feel almost opposite. First comes the cold, open world of a glacier. Later, you touch down in a volcanic valley where heat rises from the earth.

That pairing gives the trip its name and its appeal. You do not spend hours hiking to a glacier or walking into a remote geothermal area. The helicopter carries you directly to both, leaving more time for looking around and less time for getting there.

The flight begins at Reykjavik Domestic Airport with a greeting from your pilot. The company describes the experience as personalized and VIP-style, though you should think of that as a small-group flight rather than a private charter. The maximum group size is six, and the tour is offered in English.

The whole experience lasts about one hour and 40 minutes to two hours. That includes the flight, views from the air, and approximately 15 minutes at each landing. It is a compact way to see a lot of Iceland, but it is not a long glacier walk or a full geothermal hike.

From Reykjavik to Glymur waterfall

Once airborne, the route heads toward Þórisjökull. Along the way, you fly over or near Glymur, one of Iceland’s most dramatic waterfalls. From the ground, Glymur requires a hike. From the helicopter, you get a high view without committing several hours to the trail.

This is one of the tour’s strongest uses of time. You see a major waterfall, but it is part of a larger flight rather than the sole purpose of the outing. Your pilot may point out other features as the helicopter moves across the countryside, including farmland, lava fields, and volcanic craters.

The aerial perspective changes how familiar sights look. Roads become thin lines, rivers show their routes, and the divisions in the land are easier to read. You also get a useful sense of how close Reykjavik is to raw volcanic country.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire flight looking through a screen. The helicopter shifts position so people can get views of points along the route, and the best sight may appear only briefly. A pilot who explains what you are seeing adds a lot here. Several pilots have been praised for friendly, clear commentary, including Laura, Oliver, and Tasha.

Þórisjökull glacier: 15 minutes on the ice

The first landing is on Þórisjökull glacier. You leave the helicopter for about 15 minutes, giving you time to walk a little, take photographs, and enjoy the snow and open views.

This is not a technical glacier excursion. You are not signing up for crampon training, a long crossing, or a guided ice climb. The value is access. The helicopter places you on a high, remote sheet of ice that would otherwise require a much greater commitment of time and effort.

You can throw snowballs, make a snow angel, or try to build a small snowman. Those simple activities are part of the fun, especially for families. If you prefer a quieter stop, the fresh air and broad view are enough.

The conditions can be rough. One account describes strong wind on the glacier, making it hard to stay steady. Dress for cold and wind, even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave. A short landing can feel very cold when you step out of a helicopter onto exposed ice.

Fifteen minutes passes quickly. I would use the first few seconds to get your bearings, then take a few photos before simply looking around. The glacier stop is about the feeling of being there, not checking off a long list of activities.

Þingvellir and the continental divide from above

After the glacier, the helicopter heads toward Þingvellir National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site matters for both Icelandic history and geology. It was the meeting place associated with Iceland’s early parliament, and its visible fissures show the separation between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

From above, you can see the canyon and the long breaks in the ground more clearly than you might from a path below. The view also reaches toward Lake Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake. The combination of water, dark rock, and open ground makes this one of the most informative sections of the flight.

The tour does not include a landing at Þingvellir. You see it from the air as part of the route between the two main stops. That is useful if you already plan to visit the Golden Circle by road, since the helicopter gives you a second angle rather than repeating the same walk.

It is also worth keeping your expectations realistic. Aerial views are excellent for understanding the shape of the park, but they do not replace time on the ground if you want to walk through the historic meeting area. This tour gives you the big picture, not a detailed visit.

Hengill geothermal area: heat beneath your feet

The second landing takes place in the Hengill Geothermal Area, in a remote valley associated with Hengill volcano. The area includes hot springs and boiling mud pots, with the helicopter providing access to a place that can otherwise require a hike.

This is the tour’s other major moment. At the glacier, the cold is the story. At Hengill, the earth feels active. You can walk toward the hot features and look closely at the steam, mud, and heated ground, following the pilot’s guidance about where to go.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes, so this is not a long geothermal walk. Still, it gives you something a standard Golden Circle bus route cannot: a landing in a remote volcanic setting. The rough ground and steam make the stop feel more immediate than viewing a geothermal area from a marked roadside path.

Use care with your footing and stay with the instructions given at the landing site. The tour information says you can approach the hot springs and boiling mud pots closely, but it does not promise a particular level of walking difficulty or a long trail. Good shoes are a sensible choice.

The contrast between the two stops makes the route work. You see snow, then steam. You experience silence and open ice, then the restless heat of the volcanic ground.

Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður on the return

The return flight includes views of Reykjavik landmarks, including Hallgrímskirkja church. Seeing the church from above helps you place the city in relation to the surrounding countryside and coast.

You may also get a glimpse of Mount Esja, the broad mountain that rises across the bay from Reykjavik. The route includes Hvalfjörður, the popular Whale Fjord, along with other views of Iceland’s coastline and countryside.

The precise route can change. One flight was adjusted to include the site of a recent eruption, while other accounts describe views of older lava flows. Do not book this tour expecting a guaranteed view of an eruption site or one fixed sequence of sights. Weather and current conditions influence where the pilot can safely fly.

This flexibility can be a benefit. Pilots may adjust the route to make the most of visibility or show an active point of interest. It can also mean that two departures do not look exactly alike.

What the small helicopter is really like

The small group is a clear advantage. With no more than six people, the pilot can speak to the group directly and adjust the aircraft for views when conditions allow. This feels more personal than a large sightseeing flight.

The cabin has limits. A German-language account describes four people seated in the rear as very cramped, particularly for people taller than 1.8 meters. If you are tall, broad-shouldered, or uncomfortable in tight aircraft cabins, consider this carefully before paying the premium price.

The same account notes that everyone had a chance to sit beside the pilot because the front seat was shared between the two landings. That is a thoughtful arrangement, but you should not assume you will have the front seat for the whole trip.

Pilot quality is important on a flight like this. The strongest praise centers on pilots who explain the sights, handle wind calmly, help people feel safe, and position the helicopter for good views. Oliver, Laura, and Tasha were singled out by name, but your pilot will depend on the departure date.

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. Allow extra time to find it. One person found the airport confusing and wished the directions had been more precise. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, and the airport is near public transportation.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

At $953.39 per person, this is one of the more expensive ways to see Iceland. You are paying for the aircraft, pilot, two landings, and the ability to cover a wide area in less than two hours. You are also paying to avoid long drives and hikes to places that are not easy to combine in one day.

The value is strongest if you have limited time in Reykjavik, dislike long road days, or want a special experience for a birthday, anniversary, or family trip. The two landings make the price easier to understand than a short scenic flight with no time outside the aircraft.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a long glacier outing, a full geothermal hike, or a private flight for just your own party. You get short stops, not extended exploration. A road trip and separate walks will offer more time on the ground, usually at a much lower cost, though they will not provide the same aerial access.

I would compare this with the rest of your Iceland plans. If you already have a full Golden Circle day, the helicopter adds a new viewpoint rather than replacing it. If your schedule is tight, it can combine several major sights in one memorable burst.

Weather, cancellations, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. Wind and cloud are not minor inconveniences in Iceland, especially when you are hoping to land on a glacier and near geothermal features. A flight may be delayed, moved to another date, rerouted, or canceled.

The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you may be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. One unhappy experience involved a short replacement flight after the original tour was canceled, so confirm exactly what is operating if your plans change.

The listed passenger weight limit is 265 pounds per passenger. Food and drinks are not included. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation, but the information does not describe special accessibility arrangements.

I would avoid placing this tour on the final morning of your Iceland trip. Weather can disrupt plans, and the tour is best treated as a highlight that deserves some scheduling flexibility.

Who will enjoy this helicopter tour most?

I recommend it most to people who want maximum scenery in a short window. It suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Iceland’s volcanic geology, families who will enjoy the snow stop, and couples looking for a memorable splurge.

It is also a good fit if you want to see Þingvellir, Glymur, a glacier, and a geothermal area without spending a full day driving. The pilot commentary adds context, and the small group keeps the experience from feeling impersonal.

I would pause if you are uneasy in confined spaces, very tall, or hoping for a long walk at either landing. I would also think twice if the price would force you to cut other parts of your Iceland trip. A helicopter flight is impressive, but it should not replace time in Reykjavik, a proper road journey, or a longer hike if those are your priorities.

Should you book the Fire and Ice tour?

Book it if you want a short, high-impact Iceland experience with two contrasting landings and you can accept the weather risk. The glacier and Hengill combination is unusual, and the small group, strong pilot commentary, and chance to rotate into the front seat add real value.

Skip it if $953.39 feels uncomfortable, if you need guaranteed conditions, or if you want extended time on the ice and in the geothermal valley. For the right budget and schedule, this is a memorable way to see Iceland from above and briefly stand in two very different worlds.

FAQ

Where does the Fire and Ice helicopter tour begin?

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

How long does the helicopter tour last?

The total duration is approximately one hour and 40 minutes to two hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of six travelers.

Where does the helicopter land?

The tour includes two landings: one on the Þórisjökull glacier and one in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

How long do you spend at each landing?

You have approximately 15 minutes at the glacier and approximately 15 minutes at the Hengill geothermal stop.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.