Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

Snow, steam, and big skies. This Fire and Ice style helicopter trip is built around two landings, one on a real glacier and one in a geothermal valley, with Iceland’s major sights slipping by from the air. It also runs with a small group feel, so the pilot can tailor what you look at while you bounce between places most people only ever see from a bus window.

What I like most is the two landing points. You get time on Þórisjökull for snowball chaos, and time at Hengill for boiling mud pots and hot springs up close. I also like the route mix: Glymur waterfall en route, then Þingvellir on the Golden Circle, then aerial views over Reykjavík landmarks, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður, all without sitting in a car for hours.

One drawback to consider is that helicopters run on weather and demand. The experience requires good weather, and it also has a minimum number of travelers, so plan a bit of flexibility in your Reykjavik schedule in case you get rerouted, rescheduled, or offered an alternative.

Key things to know before you fly

• Two landings, not just scenic flying, with time on Þórisjökull and then at Hengill
• Small group size (max 6 travelers), which usually means more attention from the pilot
• English guide, and the pilot will explain what you’re seeing during the flight
• Weather dependent, so visibility can shape how impressive the views feel
• Weight limit is 265 lbs per passenger, so check sizing early if you’re near that mark
• Comfort varies by seat, and the compact helicopter layout can feel tight for taller passengers

Why this Glacier and Geothermal route feels worth the money

Let’s talk value, because $953.39 per person is not “impulse buy” money. The reason people pay it is simple: you are buying time and access. In a typical road day on the Golden Circle you can see Þingvellir and maybe one extra stop, but you cannot land on a glacier and step near boiling mud pots in the same afternoon. This flight does both, in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, with only 2 landings driving the entire experience.

You are also paying for low hassle. The tour starts and ends right at Reykjavik Domestic Airport (Ace FBO), and you do not need to coordinate multiple drivers, long drives, or multiple entrances. You get a pilot-led tour of Iceland from above, plus the one-of-a-kind moments of stepping out of the helicopter at each landing.

The other thing you’re buying is weather resilience in a small way. Even though the experience does require good weather, the helicopter format means you can shift what you’re seeing without the same “we’re stuck in traffic” problem that road tours face.

The Ace FBO start: where your pilot work begins

Your adventure kicks off at Ace FBO Reykjavík, located at Reykjavík Airport. That matters because it’s not a random pickup in the city. You’ll have a clear meeting place, and it’s near public transportation, so you can get there without turning your day into a logistics puzzle.

From there, the crew greets you and gets you into the flow of the flight. Past passengers have described the welcome experience as comfortable, with a proper wait area and hot drinks at least on some departures. That is not the main event, but it helps when Iceland weather is doing Iceland weather things.

Why this start matters: you want calm at the beginning. When you’re paying for glacier and geothermal landings, you do not want to show up flustered and rushed. Plan extra time to find Ace FBO inside the airport zone, because one of the most common complaints was that the starting point can be a little hard to locate if you are unfamiliar with that side of the airport.

Glymur waterfall to Þórisjökull: the flight that sets the tone

Once you meet the pilot, you head straight toward Þórisjökull glacier for the first landing. Before you get there, you fly over Glymur, one of Iceland’s famous waterfalls. Seeing a waterfall from above gives you a different kind of scale. You stop thinking in terms of viewpoints and start thinking in terms of geology and gravity, water carving its way through the landscape.

In the air, the helicopter seating means you’ll have quick sight lines for landmarks, even when conditions are breezy. The pilot’s job is partly flying and partly narration, and the tour is designed around that. If you like clear explanations rather than just sightseeing, this kind of pilot-led route is a big part of why people rate it so highly.

Þórisjökull glacier landing: snowball time with real views

The first true moment happens at Þórisjökull. This is where the tour stops feeling like a scenic flight and starts feeling like an outpost experience.

You gain two things here:

1) Time on the ice without long hiking. If you want glacier views but do not want to spend hours trekking through cold terrain, this landing does the job quickly.

2) A chance to walk around and play. The plan is not just photos from the helicopter. You’ll have time to meander on the glacier, take pictures, and enjoy hands-on snow fun like snowballs, a snowball fight, snow angels, and trying to make a snowman.

That sounds playful, and it is, but it also connects you to the place. Glacier air is crisp, and that change in temperature and wind hits you fast when you step out. Even if you’re not the most outdoorsy person, you usually remember the sensory contrast.

Practical consideration: glacier landings can be windy, even when the views look clear. One note from tall passengers was that balance and footing can feel harder in strong wind, and the compact helicopter setup means gear and posture matter. Bring warm layers and be ready for short, active time outside.

Þingvellir National Park from the air: more than a quick Golden Circle stop

After the glacier, you head toward Þingvellir National Park on the Golden Circle. This is where the tour’s “above and between” flying shines, because you do not need a full day itinerary to see why Þingvellir is so famous.

From the air, you get:

• The historical angle, including that it is considered the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament in the world
• A view of Iceland’s largest lake, with sparkling water below
• The canyon where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates split, visible from overhead

Why this is valuable on a helicopter day: Þingvellir can be crowded and spread out when you arrive by road. From the sky, you get the big picture quickly. You also avoid spending the day bouncing between viewpoints that often require walking.

The only “watch out” is expectation. You are not landing at Þingvellir. This is an aerial experience, so you’re looking at the land, not walking the exact same paths as the self-guided crowd. If your priority is stepping into the park on foot, you may still want a separate road day too. If your priority is seeing the tectonic story fast, the flight gives it to you.

Hengill geothermal landing: mud pots and hot springs up close

The second landing is at the Hengill Geothermal Area, named for the Hengill volcano in a remote valley. The big reason this stop works is access. This valley can only be reached by helicopter or on foot, so the helicopter landing gives you a closeness most visitors never get.

What you can expect during the time on the ground:

• Hot springs
• Boiling mud pots, with the chance to walk toward them and observe closely

This is not a tidy “museum geothermal” vibe. It’s active, odd, and very Iceland. The terrain is the point. You stand near features powered by heat from below, and the smell, steam, and colors create that otherworldly feeling the tour is aiming for.

One balance point: geothermal areas can be intense, so keep your expectations practical. Your time is limited to about 15 minutes at this landing point, so you’re going to want to decide what you want most, close inspection of mud pots or wide photos of steaming ground. If you’re traveling with kids, this is often the most memorable stop because it feels like science happening right in front of you.

Reykjavík aerial highlights: Hallgrímskirkja, Mount Esja, and Hvalfjörður

Between the landings and on the way back, you’ll get aerial glimpses of Iceland’s surrounding geography and Reykjavík landmarks. The tour includes a view of Hallgrímskirkja church, a glimpse of Mount Esja, and views over Hvalfjörður (often called Whale Fjord).

These passes help in two ways:

• They connect the big nature stops to the city you started from. You remember the geography, not just isolated scenes.
• They give you photos with different framing. A helicopter angle can make a church façade or mountain slope look like it belongs to a bigger story.

If you’re the type who likes “one last view before landing,” this part is worth paying attention to because it’s easy to zone out after the glacier.

What the small group setup changes for you

The tour limits the experience to a maximum of 6 travelers. That number matters. In a larger group, pilots have to focus on procedure and minimizing confusion. In a smaller group, the pilot can often get everyone lined up for sight lines and photos, and the narration tends to feel more personal.

Some departures even manage seat positioning so more passengers get great angles at different moments. While that is not something you can schedule like a perk, the small-group size gives you a better chance of ending up with a good seat during key views.

Also, the tour is offered in English, and the included guide and pilot commentary help with context while you’re in the air. You’re not just passively looking down, you’re learning what you’re seeing as the scenery changes quickly.

Price, time, and what you’re really replacing

Let’s do the value math in a way that helps you decide.

You’re paying for:

• Glacier landing time plus snow play
• Geothermal landing time near boiling mud pots and hot springs
• A route that strings together Glymur, Þingvellir, and aerial Reykjavík plus the surrounding fjords
• A pilot-led experience without full-day driving

You are not paying for:

• Food and drinks, since they are not included
• Long hiking time. This is more “arrive, step out, enjoy, return” than “walk for hours”

Duration is about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, and that matters if you have a packed Iceland schedule. If you only have a day or two around Reykjavík, this tour compresses several major highlights into one flight.

Is it expensive? Yes. But for many people it becomes the anchor memory of the trip. The strongest recurring theme in the experience is that the pilot handles flying and conditions confidently, and that the landings feel like real “I’m here” moments rather than short photo stops.

Who this tour suits best, and who should think twice

This is a great fit if you:

• Want glacier access without hours of hiking
• Like geothermal weirdness and close-up nature moments
• Prefer guided context over just following a map
• Want to see a lot in a short time window from Reykjavík

This might be less ideal if you:

• Are near the 265 lbs weight limit and need to be cautious with fit
• Are very tall, since helicopter seating can feel tight, especially in the back
• Have zero flexibility if weather changes, since the experience requires good weather and has a minimum traveler requirement

Also, if you are the type who expects a perfect, identical route every single day, adjust your mindset. In Iceland, wind and visibility can change what’s possible. That’s not a reason to skip the tour, it’s a reason to choose it when your schedule has breathing room.

Should you book the Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour?

I think you should book it if you want a single flight day that delivers glacier magic plus geothermal close-up within two landings, and you’re okay paying for access and time. The combination of Þórisjökull snow play and Hengill mud pots and hot springs is the kind of contrast you rarely get in Iceland with any other format.

I would hold off only if your plans are rigid. This experience is weather dependent and depends on meeting a minimum number of travelers, so build in flexibility. If you do that, you’re setting yourself up for the best version of what this tour is built to do.

If you’re booking close to other activities, give yourself buffer time at Ace FBO so you’re not stressed finding the meeting point. And on the day, dress for cold wind, because you’re stepping out twice.

FAQ

Where does the Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour start?

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

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours.

How many travelers are in the group?

This activity has a maximum of 6 travelers.

How many landings are included?

The tour includes 2 landings.

What landings do you get?

You land on Þórisjökull glacier and at the Hengill Geothermal Area.

Is there an English guide?

Yes. The experience includes an English guide, and it is offered in English.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What is the weight limit for passengers?

The total weight per passenger limit listed is 265 lbs.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation timeframe for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience start time, the amount paid will not be refunded.