Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour: Glacier and Hengill Geothermal Area

See Iceland’s wild side from the sky. The Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour combines a glacier landing with a stop in the Hengill geothermal area, giving you snow, hot springs, volcano country, waterfalls, and tectonic views in roughly two hours. I especially like the flight over Glymur waterfall and Þingvellir, plus the small maximum group of six, which keeps this feeling personal rather than like a crowded sightseeing ride. The two landings also give you a real chance to step outside, not just point a camera through glass.

The main catch is the $953.39 price per person, along with Iceland’s changeable weather. Strong wind, cloud, or a lack of bookings can alter or cancel the trip. The helicopter’s rear seating can also feel tight for larger adults, and finding the airport meeting point may take extra attention.

The Fire and Ice experience at a glance

• Two very different landings: Step onto Þórisjökull glacier, then walk near hot pools and boiling mud pots in Hengill.
• A small group of up to six: The limited capacity allows for a quieter flight and better access to the pilot.
• Glymur from above: Fly past Iceland’s famed waterfall, with time for views and photographs from the air.
• Þingvellir seen in context: Look down on the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• A full aerial tour of southwest Iceland: The route may include Reykjavik, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, farmland, lava fields, and volcanic craters.
• Weather controls the day: A replacement date or full refund is offered if poor weather or the minimum number of bookings cancels the flight.

Taking off from Reykjavik Domestic Airport

Your trip begins at Ace FBO Reykjavík, at Reykjavik Domestic Airport. The airport is in Reykjavik and close to public transportation, though the terminal area can be confusing. One useful piece of advice is to allow time to find the exact meeting point, especially if you are arriving by taxi or walking from central Reykjavik.

The staff welcome you before introducing you to the pilot. The small-group setup matters here. With no more than six people on the aircraft, the flight has the feel of a private outing, even if you are sharing it with other members of your party.

The flight lasts about one hour and 40 minutes to two hours, including the two landings. That is a good length for this route. You get several major sights without spending most of your day in the air, and you avoid the long road time needed to reach the glacier and Hengill by foot or by car.

The aircraft itself is small. One particularly useful seating detail is that the front seat beside the pilot rotates between passengers during the two landings, so each person has an opportunity to enjoy that position. The rear row can be cramped, especially for people over 1.8 meters tall. If you are tall, ask about the seating arrangement before you commit.

A total passenger weight limit of 265 pounds applies per person. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat beforehand or bring what you need within the operator’s rules.

Flying over Glymur waterfall and Hvalfjörður

The first part of the route points toward Þórisjökull glacier, but the journey is part of the attraction. The helicopter crosses the area around Glymur, one of Iceland’s best-known waterfalls, and provides an overhead view that hikers cannot easily match.

From the air, you can see how the waterfall fits into the surrounding ravines and high country. You may also catch views of Hvalfjörður, the popular Whale Fjord, and Mount Esja near Reykjavik. These sights help connect the city with the open country beyond it.

A helicopter gives you a different sense of scale than a road tour. Roads show you one valley at a time. From the seat, you can follow ridgelines, look across old lava flows, and see farmland, craters, and broad stretches of Icelandic terrain in one sweep.

The pilot is an important part of this section. Past flights have been praised for calm handling in strong winds, clear explanations, and small changes in position so people on both sides can get better views. That is worth noting because the best aerial photographs depend as much on the pilot’s positioning as on the scenery.

Landing on Þórisjökull glacier

The first landing is on Þórisjökull. You get about 15 minutes on the glacier, enough for photographs, a short walk, snowball throwing, snow angels, or a quick snowman if conditions allow.

This is not a long glacier trek. It is a brief, memorable stop where you can stand in the cold open air and see the ice from ground level. The value lies in the contrast. A few minutes on the snow feels very different from viewing a glacier through a helicopter window.

The glacier can be windy. One person described having trouble staying steady on their feet because of the conditions. Wear warm clothing and shoes that give you a firm footing. The supplied information does not promise special glacier equipment, guided walking, or a long hike, so treat this as a photo and viewpoint stop rather than a technical glacier outing.

That distinction helps set expectations. If your dream is to spend hours trekking across ice, this is not the right product. If you want to land in a remote snowy place without giving up most of your day to hiking, it is a clever use of a helicopter.

The short stop also depends on safe conditions. The pilot decides where the aircraft can land, and weather may affect the exact route or amount of time outside. You should be ready for a quick, active visit rather than a relaxed picnic.

Seeing Þingvellir and the continental rift

After the glacier, the route heads toward Þingvellir National Park, part of Iceland’s Golden Circle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is famous for both its political history and its geology.

Þingvellir was the birthplace of Iceland’s long-running parliament. From above, you can also see the canyon formed where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates pull apart. The view makes the geology easier to understand than a few signs beside a walking path.

You also look over Þingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake. From the helicopter, the lake, rift valleys, and surrounding high ground form one broad picture. The flight does not replace a ground visit to Þingvellir, but it shows you how the park’s features fit together.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose the Fire and Ice route over a simple scenic helicopter ride. You get natural spectacle, but also a clear look at one of Iceland’s most important cultural sites. The aerial view gives context without requiring a separate full-day Golden Circle excursion.

Keep in mind that Þingvellir is a flyover, not a landing. You will not have time to walk the historic assembly site or explore the park on foot during this tour. The attraction here is the bird’s-eye view.

Entering the Hengill geothermal area

The second landing takes place in the Hengill Geothermal Area, near Hengill volcano. This remote valley can be reached by helicopter or on foot, making the landing especially useful if you want to see the area without committing to a hike.

You can walk toward hot springs and boiling mud pots and view them from close range. The colors, steam, and raw heat create a sharp contrast with the snow and ice of Þórisjökull. That fire-and-ice pairing gives the tour its name and its strongest visual rhythm.

The stop lasts about 15 minutes. As with the glacier, this is enough for photographs and a short look around, but not enough for a long geothermal walk. Stay with the pilot’s instructions and keep a safe distance from hot ground and boiling features.

Hengill is also a good reminder that Iceland’s beauty is not always gentle. The mud pots and steaming ground show the country’s active volcanic systems at work. You do not need a long explanation to appreciate the place, but a good pilot can add useful context and help you notice details from the air.

The two landings work well together because they offer genuine contrast. At the glacier, you feel cold, wind, snow, and open space. At Hengill, you see heat, steam, mud, and volcanic energy. Many scenic flights offer only views. This one gives you two short chances to stand inside the setting.

Why the small aircraft changes the experience

A maximum of six people keeps the outing intimate, but a small helicopter also means less personal space. The front seat is the best place for forward views and pilot conversation, and the seating arrangement allows each passenger a turn there during the two landings.

The back can be less comfortable. Taller adults may find the rear seating very tight, and the cabin is not the place for bulky luggage. For a couple or small family, the arrangement may be perfectly manageable. For six tall adults, comfort could become a real issue.

The pilot’s role receives especially strong praise. Pilots including Laura, Oliver, and Tasha have been singled out for friendly service, confident handling, and clear explanations. Good communication matters on a helicopter tour because you want to know what you are seeing and feel at ease when wind moves the aircraft.

The flight also gives the pilot some flexibility. Routes have been adjusted to include a recent eruption site when conditions allowed. That does not mean every departure will follow the same path, but it suggests the experience can respond to current volcanic activity and weather.

Is $953.39 a fair price?

At $953.39 per person, this is a major splurge. You are paying for a short flight, two landings, a small group, pilot service, and access to places that would otherwise require considerable driving or hiking.

The value is strongest if your time in Iceland is limited. In one outing, you can see Reykjavik landmarks, Glymur, Hvalfjörður, Þingvellir, Mount Esja, a glacier, geothermal ground, lava fields, craters, and farmland. A road-based trip can cover some of these sights, but it takes much longer and does not provide the same aerial view.

The cost is harder to justify if you are staying in Iceland for a long time, have already visited the Golden Circle and geothermal areas, or mainly want a long glacier walk. In those cases, less expensive land excursions may offer more time on the ground.

I see this as a special-occasion purchase. It suits a honeymoon, birthday, family highlight, or final-day splurge when you want one memorable outing rather than the cheapest way to sightsee. The 93 percent recommendation rate and 4.8 rating from 60 reviews indicate strong satisfaction, though the price and weather risks remain real.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and this activity requires good conditions. A flight may be moved or canceled if wind, cloud, or other conditions make the route unsafe. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The minimum number of bookings also matters. The group-size limit is six, but the tour may not operate if too few people book. One canceled departure was described as being attributed to bad weather, while the passenger believed the actual issue was low demand. That account points to a practical concern: ask for a clear explanation if a cancellation occurs and keep your schedule flexible.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The local Icelandic time controls the cut-off.

Because the route depends on visibility, do not place this flight immediately before an important international departure if you can avoid it. The operator may offer another date, but a weather delay is easier to handle when you have room in your schedule.

Who should book the Fire and Ice flight?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if:

• You have a generous budget for one major Iceland activity.
• You want to see a glacier and geothermal country in the same morning or afternoon.
• You prefer a small group to a large coach tour.
• You enjoy photography and want aerial views of waterfalls, rifts, lava fields, and volcanic ground.
• You have limited time and want to cover a lot without spending hours on the road.
• You are comfortable with a short outdoor stop in cold, windy conditions.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed weather, dislike small aircraft, are tall and uncomfortable in tight seating, or want a long walk at either landing. It also may not suit anyone expecting food, drinks, or a full guided hike, since those are not included.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Domestic Airport, and the tour returns there. The ticket is mobile, and the guide service is provided in English.

Most people can participate, but the 265-pound total passenger weight limit applies. Since the flight includes outdoor landings, wear warm layers and footwear suitable for snow and uneven ground. These are simple precautions, but they matter more on a glacier than they do during a city tour.

Check the airport directions carefully. A taxi from downtown can reach the airport, but the exact FBO location may not be obvious once you enter the airport area. The small front desk and lounge welcome, with hot drinks and comfortable sofas, can make the wait pleasant, but you still want enough time to find the right place.

Bring a phone or camera with enough space for photographs. The tour has repeated photo opportunities, from Glymur and Þingvellir to the glacier and Hengill. At the same time, put the camera away for a few minutes. Standing on snow beside a helicopter or near steaming geothermal ground is the part you cannot fully capture on a screen.

Should you book this helicopter tour?

Book it if you want Iceland in concentrated form: a glacier under your boots, steam rising from volcanic ground, Þingvellir’s tectonic divide from above, and Reykjavik’s surrounding country laid out beneath you. The two landings and small group make the high price easier to understand, especially for a special occasion or a short visit.

Skip it if $953.39 feels uncomfortable, if you want a long ground excursion, or if a weather change would seriously disrupt your plans. For the right budget and expectations, this is an unusually efficient and memorable way to see southwest Iceland.

FAQ

Where does the Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour start?

It starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík, Reykjavík Domestic Airport, Reykjavík 101, 102, Iceland.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Reykjavik Domestic Airport.

How long does the tour last?

The flight and landings take approximately one hour and 40 minutes to two hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of six travelers.

How many helicopter landings are included?

Two landings are included: one on Þórisjökull glacier and one in the Hengill Geothermal Area.

How long do you spend at each landing?

The stated time is about 15 minutes at the glacier and about 15 minutes at Hengill.

What can you see during the flight?

The route may include Reykjavik landmarks, Glymur waterfall, Þingvellir National Park, Þingvallavatn, Mount Esja, Hvalfjörður, lava fields, craters, and farmland.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English and includes an English guide.

What happens if bad weather cancels the flight?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation. A full refund is also offered if the minimum number of required bookings is not met.