Glacier landings turn photos into lasting memories. This helicopter tour strings together fire and ice from above, then lets you step out twice, first onto Þórisjökull Glacier and later near the Hengill Geothermal Area. You fly past major sights around Iceland’s south, with an English live guide and an audio guide included.

I especially like the mix of big views and hands-on moments. You get the adrenaline of flying over glacier and volcano country, plus actual time walking on ice and near steaming ground, not just a quick look from your window. The small group size (limited to 6) also makes the whole thing feel less like cattle herding and more like a shared, hushed adventure.

The main drawback is the price. At $867 per person for a 2-hour experience, you’ll want to be sure you’re comfortable paying for speed and access, rather than a slower, on-foot day. One more practical consideration: flights require a minimum of 4 passengers to operate, so your departure day needs a little flexibility.

Key things I’d circle on your planning list

• Two landings in one tight flight plan: walk on Þórisjökull Glacier, then land again at Hengill.
• Glymur waterfall flyover: you pass Iceland’s famed Glymur on the way to the glacier landing.
• Þingvellir UNESCO views from the air: look down at the canyon splitting the American and Eurasian continents.
• Glacier play time, not just sightseeing: photos, snowballs, snow angels, and time to wander.
• Hengill geothermal ground access: hot springs and boiling mud pots are close enough to really feel the heat.
• Built for photos: you’re high in the sky for panoramic angles, then on the ground for texture shots.

Why this Fire and Ice helicopter plan beats a typical day tour

If you’re short on time in Iceland, helicopter tours can feel pricey. This one is expensive, but it’s also efficient in a very literal way: it trades hours of hiking or long drives for a quick, high-impact route and two real landings.

What I like about this style is that it doesn’t just show Iceland’s drama, it gives you a bit of it. You’re on the glacier long enough to move around and make snow memories, then you’re on geothermal ground where steam and colored mud do the talking. That combination is hard to recreate with a car-and-walk itinerary.

The small group cap matters too. With up to 6 people, you spend less time waiting for the “next person,” and you get more of the pilot and guide attention when it counts.

From Ace FBO Reykjavik to Þórisjökull Glacier, with Glymur in your window

Your tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík, meet behind the Reykjavik Natura Hotel. From there, you’ll head out toward the glacier for the first stop.

On the flight in, you cross one of Iceland’s signature waterfall routes. The tour includes a flyover of Glymur, described as the famed waterfall known for being among the highest in Iceland. From a helicopter window, waterfalls look different than on the ground, because you get the full drop and the surrounding terrain at once.

Then comes the part most people remember first: the landing on Þórisjökull Glacier. You’re not just hovering above ice. You get time to meander across the glacier, take photos, and do a bit of glacier play like making snow angels, having a snowball fight, or building a snowman.

One practical thing I’d keep in mind: glacier time is limited, so think of it as access to a once-in-a-lifetime surface, not an all-day winter trek. If you love movement and photography, you’ll do well with the flow. If you’re hoping for long, slow wandering, you may find the schedule feels quick.

Flying Þingvellir from above, where tectonics and history share the view

After the glacier landing, the route shifts toward the Golden Circle area. You fly to Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you get views from up in the air rather than a long guided walk.

This stop is special because the park holds two kinds of Iceland wonder at the same time. First, there’s the human story: Þingvellir is described as the birthplace of the oldest existing parliament in the world. Second, there’s the geology: you can look down on the canyon that splits the American and Eurasian tectonic plates, with continental drift visible from above.

You’ll also see Iceland’s largest lake from this route, described here as sparkling waters below you. Seeing it from the air helps because you understand how water, rock, and open space line up across the fissure valley.

The tradeoff is that this isn’t a “spend all day on foot” version of Þingvellir. Instead, you get a viewpoint that most ground tours can’t match, and you move on while the day still feels fresh and dramatic.

Hengill geothermal landing: hot springs, boiling mud, and close-up color

The second landing takes you to the Hengill Geothermal Area. This is where the tour leans hard into fire, not from lava flows, but from the kind of ground activity Iceland does best: steam, heat, and bubbling surfaces.

Hengill gets its name from the Hengill volcano, located in a remote valley that can be accessed by helicopter or by hike. That detail matters because it explains why you’re going by air. This area is not meant to be a quick stop pulled off by a simple roadside stroll.

Once you land, you can walk toward hot springs and boiling mud pots and observe them very closely. Expect a scene of steam rising and ground that looks streaked with unusual colors, including rust reds, yellows, and grays. The whole place has an otherworldly feel because you’re seeing the geothermal engine at work at human scale.

The area’s remoteness shows up in the small moments too. In the experiences shared, big horn sheep were spotted nearby and appeared unfazed by the helicopter landing. You shouldn’t plan on seeing wildlife, but this is exactly the kind of spot where you might notice something living in the middle of all that steam.

Helicopter time: adrenaline, nerves, and photo strategy that actually helps

Helicopter rides can sound intimidating before you’re in the seat. One of the most repeated themes in the feedback is that anxiety about flying often fades fast once the experience starts, especially with an excellent guide and a calm, professional operation.

You should also know the tour is short by design. At 2 hours, everything happens on a tight clock. That means the helicopter portion is the main event, and the landings are the high points that make the price feel justified. You’re not stuck waiting for a long day of transfers.

For photos, this setup is a cheat code. Flying gives you wide angles over glacier and volcano terrain, while the landings give you texture shots, snow detail, and geothermal steam effects. If you’re the type who brings a lot of gear, keep it simple. You’ll have moments where you want both hands free, especially during snow play and while you’re walking a bit near the geothermal ground.

One more note to keep plans smooth: if you’re over 125 kgs, you’ll have to book an additional seat. It’s a real detail, and it affects how you plan party sizes, so check it early.

Price and value: does $867 per person make sense here?

Let’s talk dollars plainly. This tour is listed at $867 per person for a 2-hour experience. That’s one of the highest price tags most people will see in Iceland, and you’ll feel it.

Here’s why it can still be worth it for the right person. You’re paying for access that’s hard to get any other way: landings on Þórisjökull Glacier and at the Hengill Geothermal Area, plus aerial sightseeing of big-name Golden Circle territory. Also, the tour is built around saving time, since it replaces what would otherwise be hours of hiking and long road routes.

You’re also getting a guided experience. There’s live English commentary and an English audio guide included. And the group limit to 6 people is part of the value equation because it keeps the experience feeling personal rather than crowded.

What isn’t included is food and drinks. So you’ll want to plan a proper meal around the tour time, or at least bring snacks if that’s part of your usual travel rhythm. The experience is all about the flight and the two stops, so don’t plan to rely on the tour itself for sustenance.

The best way to judge value is to compare it to alternatives. If you could spend the same money on multiple days of standard excursions, this might feel like a splurge. If your goal is to “buy time” and get rare access, this is the kind of splurge that can actually pay off in memories, not just photos.

Who this tour fits best, and who might prefer another style

This helicopter tour fits best if you want intensity and access. I’d point it toward you if you like adrenaline, you want the glacier landing experience, and you’re curious about seeing the tectonics of Þingvellir and the geothermal energy of Hengill from close up.

It’s also a great match for travelers who don’t have many hours in Reykjavik beyond major sights. Because the tour runs from Ace FBO Reykjavík and keeps you moving efficiently through the southern region, it can feel like the Iceland “greatest hits” in a compressed format.

If you’re the type who prefers slow travel, long hikes, and lots of time on the ground, you might feel shortchanged by the 2-hour structure. This tour is designed to be concentrated. You’ll enjoy it most when you treat it like a highlight hit, not a full-day immersion.

Planning tips before you go (small details that matter)

Start with the basics. Dress for cold conditions, because you’ll be on ice and near steam ground. The tour is physically active at least in short bursts, like walking on glacier surface and moving near geothermal sights.

Bring something you can use quickly for photos. The schedule gives you moments where you’ll want to capture the view fast, then turn your attention back to the moment. A glove-friendly setup helps if you’re photographing in cold weather.

Also, double-check passenger count expectations. The flight requires a minimum of 4 passengers to operate. If you’re booking on a tight schedule, consider having a Plan B day or flexible timing.

Finally, use the tour time as your anchor. Since food and drinks are not included, plan your meal before or after so you’re not thinking about hunger while you’re trying to enjoy the glacier air and geothermal steam.

Final call: should you book Fire and Ice with 2 landings?

My honest take: book this tour if you want maximum Iceland drama in minimum time and you’re excited by the idea of stepping onto Þórisjökull Glacier and then onto geothermal ground at Hengill. The two landings are the core value, and the aerial route over Glymur and Þingvellir adds the kind of big-picture context most ground tours struggle to deliver.

Skip or reconsider if $867 per person feels like too much for you, or if you’re not into helicopter travel. Also, if you need a day that’s mostly on foot and slow, this will feel too short.

If you’re on the fence, use this rule of thumb: when you come to Iceland, you don’t just travel to see places, you travel to access them. This tour is built around access, and that’s exactly what makes it hard to replace.

FAQ

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

The tour duration is 2 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the departures that work for your schedule.

Where do I meet for the tour?

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

What landings are included?

Two landings are included: one on Þórisjökull Glacier and another at Mount Hengill (Hengill Geothermal Area).

Is food or drinks included?

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

How big is the group?

This is a small group with a limit of 6 participants.

Do I need extra seating if I weigh more than 125 kgs?

Yes. If you are over 125 kgs, you will have to book an additional seat.