From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

This is one of those Iceland ideas where the name actually makes sense: glacier time first, then the geothermal side of the story. I like that you are not just riding over scenery, you get to touch it, with landings on Þórisjökull Glacier and Mount Hengill. The main drawback is the price, at $867 per person for a tight 2-hour experience.

What also makes this tour feel smart is the format. You are in a small group (max 6) with an English live guide plus an English audio guide, so you get context without a big-group scramble. Still, because it is helicopter-dependent, you should be okay with the idea that weather and conditions matter.

Key things that make this Fire and Ice helicopter tour special

• Two landings in one trip, Þórisjökull Glacier and the Hengill Geothermal Area
• Real walking time on the glacier, with time for photos and snow fun
• Glymur and the big aerial wow factor, seen from above on the way
• Þingvellir National Park views from the air, including the American and Eurasian divide
• Close-up geothermal ground time, hot springs and boiling mud pots near Mount Hengill
• Small group experience, limited to 6 participants with English guide support

Why the Fire and Ice concept works so well

This tour is built around contrast, and it is the contrast that makes it memorable. You start in a cold, quiet world on the glacier, then you move to steam, hot springs, and boiling mud pots tied to the Hengill volcano area. Doing both in one helicopter outing saves you hours of driving and walking that a land-only plan would eat up.

I also like the way the flight itself is part of the show. You go over major sights rather than just transferring between two stops. That means your 2 hours are packed, with big Iceland moments layered on top of the landings.

One more practical point: you do not need to be a hardcore hiker to get the payoff. The helicopter does the hard work, and you spend your energy where it counts, on the glacier and near the geothermal activity.

Getting started at ACE FBO Reykjavík, and what that means for your time

Your tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so there is no long shuffling around Reykjavik.

Starting from a domestic airport setup matters for two reasons. First, it keeps the experience compact, which is useful when your total time in the air and on the ground is only about 2 hours. Second, the schedule is built around helicopter operations, so the tour feels efficient rather than like a half-day “getting there” exercise.

You also get a live English tour guide, and an English audio guide is included. That combo is helpful on a flight, because it gives you a clear story while you are trying to look out the window at fast-changing views.

Stop 1: Þórisjökull Glacier landing, snow fun included

The first landing is on Þórisjökull Glacier. Before you reach it, you fly across Glymur, the famed waterfall in Iceland. Seeing Glymur from above gives you scale, because the canyon and fall are easier to understand from the sky.

Once you land on the glacier, you get time to actually be there. You can walk across the glacier area, take photos, and spend time just soaking in the stillness. The tour description also calls out active, snow-based fun like throwing snowballs, making snow angels, and trying to build a snowman, which is a big part of why this stop feels different from a quick “step off and back on” landing.

A drawback to keep in mind: glacier time is short by design. You are there for a focused window, not hours. So if what you really want is a long, slow glacier trek, this is still more of a cinematic taste than a full hiking day.

Still, the value is that you get to turn Iceland’s glacier drama into something tactile. Photos from the air are great, but stepping out onto snow and ice is what makes this feel like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Flying the Golden Circle from above: Þingvellir, the rift, and Iceland’s largest lake

Between the glacier landing and the second stop, you fly toward Þingvellir National Park, which sits on the Golden Circle route. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the tour explanation highlights its historic importance as the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament in the world.

From the sky, Þingvellir is about geology first. You are given views of the continental split where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and drift. This is not just a fact you hear about on the ground, it is something you can actually see from above, with the canyon line doing the explaining.

The flight also includes views of the sparkling waters of Iceland’s largest lake in the area. That kind of visual contrast, water beside cold stone, is exactly what you miss when you only drive and stop at viewpoints.

One more neat detail the tour info brings up: you can look down on the canyon and see how the rift works spatially. In other words, the helicopter makes the tectonic story feel immediate.

If you are the type who loves understanding the why behind the scenery, this portion is a strong use of your time.

Stop 2: Hengill Geothermal landing near the volcano

The second landing is at the Hengill Geothermal Area, tied to the Hengill volcano. The tour notes that the valley is remote and can be accessed by helicopter or by a hike, which is a big reason the landing is so special. You are not just photographing steam from a safe distance.

Here, you get close to geothermal features like hot springs and boiling mud pots. The tour description says you can walk toward the geothermal activity and observe it up close. That is the key difference between a distant viewpoint and a real geothermal experience.

What it feels like on the ground can be visual and a little surreal. Past experiences tied to this exact style of landing describe streaked colors in rust reds, yellows, and grays, plus steam rising around you. The guide is there to help you interpret what you are seeing as you look down at the ground.

There is also a chance of wildlife spotting. One experience description includes seeing wild big horn sheep nearby, apparently unfazed by the helicopter landing. You might not count on it, but it is a good reminder that the geothermal area has its own living cast, not just steam and rock.

Helicopter reality check: nerves, small groups, and how to feel safe

I get why this tour can feel intimidating for some people. A helicopter is still a helicopter. But the format is designed to keep it controlled and comfortable, and the tour is delivered in a small group with an English live guide.

A few things help make it feel less scary in practice:

• You are flying with a trained pilot who greets you and runs the operation
• The tour schedule is structured, with landings planned rather than long open-ended flight time
• Your time on the ground is limited and focused, so you are not stuck managing discomfort for hours

If you have real motion sickness issues, I would treat that as a planning item and consider preparing ahead of time. The provided info does not give medical guidance, so use your own judgment.

Also note the size limits. The tour info states that a minimum of 4 passengers is required to operate the flight. It also says if you are over 125 kgs, you will have to book an additional seat. Those rules matter because they affect how the flight is scheduled and your seat setup.

Price and value: what $867 buys you in Iceland

At $867 per person, this is not a cheap activity. It is the kind of purchase you either feel great about or you wrestle with.

Here is the practical way I look at the value. You are paying for:

• A helicopter ride
• Two landings, one on Þórisjökull Glacier and one at Mount Hengill
• Fly-bys over major highlights like Glymur and aerial views of Þingvellir National Park and the tectonic rift

If you tried to replace this with a land-only plan, you would likely spend more time driving and hiking, and you still would not get the same feeling of actually walking on the glacier and being that close to geothermal ground.

Another value point: the tour is small group limited to 6. With smaller groups, the guide time and attention tend to feel more usable, especially when you are trying to understand what you are seeing while you are moving fast.

The one cost surprise to plan for is that food and drinks are not included. The tour is only 2 hours, so hunger might not ruin the experience, but you should still eat beforehand so you are not thinking about meals mid-flight.

Also, the experience is very photo-forward. The glacier landing plus geothermal colors are natural “stop-and-shoot” moments. If photography is important to you, that adds another layer of value to the price.

Best time to book, and what to bring for glacier and geothermal stops

The tour duration is listed as 2 hours, with starting times depending on availability. That means you do not need a full day, but you do need to line it up with your broader Iceland schedule.

What should you pack? The tour info does not list a specific dress code, so I cannot promise exact requirements. But you are stepping on snow and ice on the glacier and walking near steam and hot activity at Hengill. So you should assume conditions will feel cold and changeable. Bring layers, plan for wind, and bring gloves and a hat if you normally wear them in winter-like weather.

For photos, consider the basics that matter in helicopters:

• Charge your phone or camera before you go
• Clean your lens or screen before the glacier landing
• Expect short “walk and shoot” windows, so have your settings ready

And mentally, go in expecting it to be an intense two hours. That is part of the charm. You get big Iceland in a small slice of time.

Who this tour suits best, and who should think twice

This tour fits you if you want a high-impact Iceland highlight with minimal hiking. The two landings are the selling point, especially the glacier landing where you can walk on snow and do fun, hands-on activities.

It also suits you if you like your Iceland grounded in science and place. The aerial views of Þingvellir’s rift and the tectonic story are not just scenery captions, they are a “see it for yourself” moment.

Who should think twice? If you strongly prefer slower, land-based exploration, you may find the time on the ground too short to scratch that itch. And if the helicopter format makes you uneasy, take that seriously. The tour itself is designed to feel safe and well guided, but you still have to be comfortable with the method.

Finally, if you want meals included, note that food and drinks are not included. You will likely want to handle that with timing on your overall day.

Should you book the Fire and Ice 2-landings helicopter tour?

Book it if you want the rare combo: walk on a glacier and then step near active geothermal ground, all while flying over major highlights like Glymur and Þingvellir. For a lot of people, this is the kind of experience they remember because it hits two different Iceland extremes in one shot.

Hold off if you are budget-sensitive, or if you would rather spend that money on longer drives and multi-day hikes. Also reconsider if helicopter motion is a serious issue for you.

If you can comfortably afford the splurge and you are excited by the idea of two landings, this tour is a strong choice for an unforgettable Reykjavik day.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

You meet at ACE FBO Reykjavík, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. The tour also ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is listed as 2 hours.

How many landings are included?

This tour includes two landings: one on Þórisjökull Glacier and one at the Hengill Geothermal Area (Mount Hengill).

What stops and key sights are included during the flight?

In addition to the two landings, the tour flies you across Glymur waterfall and to the Þingvellir National Park area on the Golden Circle, with views of Iceland’s largest lake and the continental drift/rift.

Is there a guide, and what language is it in?

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

What is the group size?

The group is limited to 6 participants.

What is included in the price, and what is not?

Included: the helicopter ride and the landings on Mount Hengill and Þórisjökull Glacier. Not included: food and drinks.

Are there any passenger requirements like minimums or weight limits?

A minimum of 4 passengers is required to operate the flight. If you are over 125 kgs, you will have to book an additional seat.