From Reykjavik: Fire And Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

Fire and Ice by helicopter cuts the Iceland to-do list in half. You get two real landings and a big aerial loop, so you see the action up close without spending your day on the road.

I love the chance to step onto a glacier, then walk around in the cold silence like you actually transported there. I also love the second stop at Hengill, where hot springs and boiling mud pots turn the ground into something you’d expect from a sci-fi set.

The only real drawback is the price. At $931 per person for a 2 hour flight, it’s a splurge, and your glacier or geothermal landing depends on conditions, since safety rules come first.

Quick hits you should care about

• Two landings on Þórisjökull Glacier and the Hengill Geothermal Area, plus time to walk at both stops
• Glymur waterfall viewed from the air on the way to the glacier landing
• Þingvellir National Park from above, including the visible continental split of the North American and Eurasian plates
• Golden Circle route, but faster, with aerial sightseeing that skips hours of driving and hiking
• Small group limit of 6, which usually makes it easier to manage safety and seating

From Ace FBO Reykjavik to the skies fast

This tour starts at ACE FBO Reykjavík, behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. From there, you move into the helicopter routine quickly, and you do not waste your morning “figuring things out.” It is built for people who want maximum Iceland in limited time.

The group is kept small, limited to 6 participants. That matters because helicopter seating and instructions can get chaotic when everyone is squeezing for one more angle. With fewer people, you tend to get better sightlines and a calmer flow when the pilot explains what’s coming next.

One more thing I appreciate: the tour is run as a proper aviation operation, with a live English guide on board and an English audio guide included. Reviews also mention pilots and ground staff being professional, including names like Laura, Oliver, and Thomas, which gives you a sense the experience is handled by people who take both flying and visitor experience seriously.

Glacier landing on Þórisjökull: the best kind of cold air

Your first big moment is the flight out across famous spots, then a glacier landing on Þórisjökull. You also fly over Glymur, Iceland’s well-known waterfall. From the air, it’s one of those “wait, that’s what that looks like?” views, because you see the sheer scale and the way water is carved into the landscape.

Once you reach the landing zone, you get the part that most tours can only sell you as a concept: you actually step on the ice. You’ll have time to wander, take photos, and do the classic glacier fun like building snow angels or making a snowman. It sounds silly until you’re standing on untouched snow and the world goes quiet. That is the point.

What to expect on the glacier time:

• You’ll have a block of about 30 minutes for walking and photos.
• You can expect a short “yes, we’re really here” moment when you look around and realize this is not a view you can get from a parking lot.

Practical note: you are landing on something weather-dependent. The tour states landings are subject to conditions and safety considerations, so I’d plan with the mindset that you’re paying for the helicopter experience first, and the landing is the bonus if nature cooperates.

Þingvellir in the air: continental drift you can actually see

After the glacier, the tour shifts to the Golden Circle area. One of the best parts is that you do not just fly past famous names. You fly over Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site tied to one of the most important early political assemblies in the world.

From your seat, you get what road tours rarely manage: a clear view into the rift valley where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates separate. The tour description specifically calls out that the plates are fully visible from above, and that is exactly what makes the aerial angle worth it. You’re not guessing. You’re seeing.

You also get aerial views that connect natural and human history. The park is described as the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament, and from above you can understand why people settled here: dramatic geology plus water plus routes across the region.

You’ll also notice the sparkling waters of Iceland’s largest lake from the area. That’s not just a pretty detour. It’s a reminder that Iceland’s “fire and ice” theme is not abstract. Water sits next to ice. Steam sits next to stone. And the whole system is constantly moving.

Hengill geothermal landing: mud pots and boiling textures up close

The second landing is at the Hengill Geothermal Area. The tour ties the name to Hengill volcano, located in a remote valley that you reach by helicopter or a hike. That remote access is the whole reason this works: you get close enough to see thermal activity without turning your day into a long slog.

The feel here is different from the glacier. On ice, the world is pale and silent. At Hengill, the ground looks alive. The tour description calls out hot springs and boiling mud pots you can walk towards and observe at close range.

What you’ll do at this stop:

• There is a photo stop and a chance to walk around for about 30 minutes.
• You’ll be close enough to really see steam and color changes in the ground.

If you’re used to geothermal areas from boardwalks, this can surprise you. The terrain can look rough, and steam can rise where you do not expect it. Reviews include details like steaming mud pools and very surreal color streaks, plus comments about pilots explaining safety clearly before the walk. One review even mentions spotting wild big horn sheep nearby, completely unfazed by the helicopter landing. You should not expect that on every day, but it’s a good reminder that the area can feel raw and real, not staged.

And yes, if you like volcano content, keep your expectations flexible. One past rider reported flying close to a volcano while it was erupting. That kind of “active” moment depends on timing and conditions, but the region is exactly where you’d hope to get a more dramatic view.

The 2 hour reality check: what you gain by flying

A 2 hour tour does not sound like much until you compare it to how Iceland usually makes you earn views. On foot, you trade time for distance and elevation. By helicopter, you trade money for minutes and cover ground that would normally take a full day.

The itinerary mixes short aerial segments with two landings and two walking blocks. Even the smaller aerial views matter, because they help you “read” Iceland from above. Flying over places like Reykjavik, Mount Esja, and Glymur gives you context for where everything sits relative to each other. That makes the rest of your trip easier, whether you’re driving the Golden Circle afterward or just wandering the city.

Comfort is also part of the value equation. Reviews mention a well-maintained, comfortable helicopter, plus pilots who keep things smooth and clearly explain safety procedures. That matters because the best aerial views in the world can feel stressful if the first five minutes are chaotic. Here, you get a structured start.

One more practical perk: a small group of up to 6 means you can usually get consistent guidance from the pilot and guide, and you spend less time waiting for people to settle.

Price and logistics: when $931 makes sense

Let’s talk money plainly. $931 per person is not an average “sightseeing tour” price. It’s a serious splurge in Iceland.

So where does the value come from?

1. Two landings are included, which turns the tour from a “look at Iceland” ride into “step into Iceland” time.
2. You get two walking opportunities, about 30 minutes each, without hiking to remote access points.
3. You compress a Golden Circle-style overview plus glacier and geothermal access into a short flight window, saving hours compared to ground-only touring.

If you have limited days in Iceland, this is one of the few ways to experience extremes in a single outing. Glacier and geothermal in one morning or afternoon is not something you casually stack with road tours unless you are willing to spend the whole day commuting and hiking.

Who might struggle with the value?

• If you hate the idea of paying for a short duration, this can feel like a lot of money for a brief time aloft.
• If weather prevents landings, you may lose the most “wow” part. The tour states landings are weather and safety dependent, so mentally plan for that possibility.

Who this is best for, and who should skip

This tour fits best if you:

• Want one big Iceland highlight that goes beyond viewpoints
• Have limited time and want to cover glacier, waterfall area, Þingvellir, and geothermal in about 2 hours
• Like photography and want angles you cannot recreate from the ground
• Prefer small groups and clear instruction

I’d also say it works surprisingly well for some families. One review mentions a great time with kids, which tells me the operation does a solid job managing the experience for different ages. Still, if your group includes anyone who cannot handle the helicopter motion or noise, trust that “this might not be for everyone” instinct and do your homework ahead of time.

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t need the landings, you can absolutely build an excellent Iceland day with roads and hikes. This is for people who want the helicopter magic and are ready to pay for it.

Should you book the Fire and Ice helicopter tour?

If your budget can handle a splurge and you really want two landings instead of just photos from above, I think this is an easy yes. The first landing on Þórisjökull gives you a rare kind of cold, quiet “I’m really here” moment. The Hengill landing gives you the other half of the theme, where steam, boiling mud pots, and unusual colors make Iceland feel otherworldly.

Book it if you want a high-impact, time-saving experience with a small group and English guidance, and if you’re comfortable with weather playing a role in landings. Skip it if you need strict value pricing or you know you’ll be disappointed if the landing conditions do not allow the full walking stops.

If you book, do one thing: dress for cold and wind, and show up ready to move fast from seats to landings to photos. This is Iceland at its most intense, and it’s worth meeting it with energy.

FAQ

How long is the Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings?

The tour duration is 2 hours. Flight times and landing timing can vary based on the schedule and conditions.

Where do we meet for the tour?

Meet at ACE FBO Reykjavík, located behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the helicopter ride and landing on Þórisjökull Glacier plus landing at the Hengill Geothermal Area.

What are the two landing stops?

You’ll land on Þórisjökull Glacier for the glacier stop, and then land at the Hengill Geothermal Area for the geothermal stop.

Will we have time to walk during the landings?

Yes. The tour includes a walk time of about 30 minutes at the glacier stop and about 30 minutes at the Hengill stop.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 6 participants.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What if weather conditions prevent a landing?

The tour notes that all landings are subject to weather conditions and safety considerations. If conditions are not suitable, landings may not happen as planned.

Is there a weight limit?

If you are over 120 kgs, you will need to book an additional seat. A minimum of 4 passengers is required to operate the flight.