Fire and ice looks different from above. This Reykjavik helicopter tour threads you over the volcanic highlands and into the Hengill geothermal zone, then adds a real on-site landing where you can look around up close.

What I love most is how it’s built for a small group (max 5), which keeps things calm and lets the pilot answer questions without rushing you. I also like the route choice, it’s not just scenic flying. It connects the heat of Hengill to the big geothermal power sites like Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun.

One consideration is the price. At $599.56 per person, it’s a splurge. And like any short helicopter experience, it depends on good weather, so you may need to adjust dates if conditions cancel the flight.

Key things to know before you go

• Max of five travelers for a more personal, unhurried ride
• Landing included, plus fuel surcharges covered in the price
• Hengill Geothermal Area stop with about 25 minutes on the ground
• Flyovers of geothermal power plants including Hellisheiðarvirkjun and Nesjavallavirkjun
• Ends with a Reykjavik flyover, so you get a neat bookend view of the city

Why Hengill works so well from the air

Hengill is one of those places where Iceland makes its point fast. From the ground you can see steam, heat, and weird rock shapes. From the air, you see the connections.

This route also mixes two kinds of Iceland views in one flight. You get the volcanic highlands overhead, then the geothermal activity around Hengill. That combination helps you understand what you are looking at, not just admire it.

The small group matters here. With fewer people in the helicopter, the pilot can slow down when it matters, and you spend more time actually seeing instead of trying to peer past shoulders.

Getting to Ace FBO Reykjavik and finding your way back

Your tour starts and ends at Ace FBO Reykjavík, at Reykjavik Airport (the location is listed at Reykjavík, 101, 102). The meeting point is described as near public transportation, which is useful if you are building a tight day around this ride.

Plan to arrive with a little breathing room, since helicopters run on a weather window, not a leisurely schedule. Once the flight is done, you return to the same place you started. That keeps your day simple, no long bus rides after you land.

The opening flyover: Hellisheiði Plateau

Right after takeoff from Reykjavik domestic airport, you fly over Hellisheiði Plateau. This is a strong warm-up section. The plateau gives you that wide, high Iceland view where everything feels layered, mountains, valleys, and weather patterns.

From a passenger perspective, the value is quick orientation. Even if you never studied Iceland maps, you start to recognize where the geothermal area fits in the bigger volcanic setting.

This is also where your photos often begin to look different. From the air, steam and color changes appear in bands and patches. That is hard to capture from street level.

Hengill Geothermal Area landing, the 25-minute on-foot moment

The heart of the tour is the stop at Hengill Geothermal Area, with about 25 minutes on site. Admission is listed as ticket free, which helps you feel less like you are on a timed checklist and more like you are experiencing a place.

This is where the flight shifts from views to involvement. One highlight that shows up in feedback is stepping out and walking around geothermal features, including a thermal pond area. The colors can be intense, and the ground textures look almost unreal from above, then make more sense when you stand near them.

What to keep in mind:

• You’ll want layers, since the air near geothermal areas can feel sharper once you are outside the helicopter.
• In cold or windy conditions, you may feel it right away. Dress for Reykjavik weather, not just sunshine at check-in.
• If you like photography, this is your moment for close shots, not just aerial framing.

Hellisheiðarvirkjun: seeing geothermal power from above

After Hengill, the route continues with coverage of Hellisheiðarvirkjun. This is one of those “oh, that’s what that is” stops. From the sky, geothermal plants can look like controlled industrial shapes placed inside a natural chaos zone.

The value is in the contrast. You see steam and terrain, then you see how the systems sit in it. It is the difference between a postcard of Iceland and a working map of how Iceland harnesses heat.

Also, flying over power infrastructure is usually more interesting than it sounds. At the air level you can read the terrain around facilities, you can spot where steam rises and where it seems to funnel, and you can understand why these sites were chosen.

A small-group ride makes this better. If you have questions, this is where the pilot can explain what you are seeing. In feedback, pilots who take time to answer questions got strong praise.

Nesjavallavirkjun: another power site, another angle

You’ll also cover Nesjavallavirkjun. Doing a second plant flyover means you get more than one version of the geothermal story.

The aerial perspective helps you compare. Even when the general idea is the same, the terrain around each facility looks different. From above, you notice how steam behavior and ground color shift between areas. That makes the overall region feel cohesive instead of random.

If you are the type who likes understanding systems, not just scenic moments, this segment is a big part of the tour’s value.

Bláfjöll: the high ground before you look back at Reykjavik

The route includes Bláfjöll. That brings in more of Iceland’s highland character, and it acts like a visual palate cleanser between geothermal stops.

Think of it as the stage where the pilot strings together the volcanic setting that surrounds the geothermal zones. You see how the region transitions, from flatter plateaus to steeper slopes and ridges.

It’s also a nice time to take your eyes off the ground for a second. In a short 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes, your brain needs these “wide view” moments so you don’t just feel like you are grabbing snapshots nonstop.

Reykjavik flyover: tying city life to the wild

After the other spots, you’ll fly over Reykjavik. This bookends the experience in a satisfying way. You started with the airport and plateau view, and you end by returning to the city from the air.

From above, Reykjavik looks compact and bright against the darker terrain around it. If you came to Iceland for the big nature shots, seeing how the city sits inside the wider volcanic setting can change how you picture the whole trip.

It’s also a practical win. You don’t have to guess where you were in relation to home. The final flyover helps you get your bearings fast.

Seats, helicopter feel, and the pilot who keeps it smooth

This tour is a max of five passengers, so you get a less crowded ride than the big group helicopter options you may see elsewhere. Reviews also mention modern, clean equipment, which matters when the flight is short. You want comfort, not clunky stress.

One of the most praised aspects is the way views work from all seats. In a lot of small aircraft, some seats feel like they miss the good angles. Here, feedback says the views were excellent from each position.

The pilot name Clements shows up in one strong review, with praise for how he handled the flight and for being responsive. Another detail that shows up is slow, side-to-side flying with commentary and time for questions. That’s the difference between a tour that is just movement and a tour that actually teaches you what you’re seeing.

Price and value: what $599.56 buys you here

Let’s talk money. At $599.56 per person, this is not a casual activity. It’s expensive compared to typical tours. But the price makes more sense when you factor in what’s included.

Your tour includes landing and a fuel surcharge. Landing fees and fuel costs are often the hidden part of helicopter pricing. Here, they are already baked in, so you are not hit with a surprise line item at the end.

It also helps that the group is capped at five travelers. That means you are not splitting the most expensive part of the experience, the helicopter time, across a huge crowd. You feel that in the pacing, and you tend to get more attention in the air.

If you are deciding whether this is worth it for your Iceland trip, I’d frame it like this:

• If you want photos, you can get them from ground stops, but this adds a second dimension.
• If you want understanding, the route connects geothermal zones and power sites in a way that a bus can’t.
• If you want maximum comfort and minimal rushing, the small group helps.

Weather and date changes, how to plan around them

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you should expect a different date or a full refund.

My advice is simple: schedule this for a day that you can shift. If your itinerary is already tightly locked, a weather-dependent helicopter can become stressful.

If you want a safety net, the cancellation rules are described as free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. That makes it easier to book now and keep flexibility.

Who this tour fits best, and who might prefer something else

This is a great choice if you:

• Want bird’s-eye views of geothermal and volcanic areas you cannot fully see from land
• Care about an on-site landing rather than just flying over scenery
• Like small groups and responsive pilots
• Are comfortable with a short duration, roughly 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes

You might think twice if you:

• Are booking mainly for a long, walking-focused outing. The time on the ground is about 25 minutes at Hengill.
• Are very sensitive to weather changes. Helicopters in Iceland can run into clouds.
• Need a strict budget. Even with the included landing and fuel surcharges, this stays a premium activity.

There is also a total weight per passenger limit of 265 lbs, which can matter for fit and comfort. If you are near that threshold, check carefully before booking.

Should you book the Hengill area helicopter tour with GlacierHeli?

If your idea of Iceland includes seeing geothermal sites from multiple angles, I think this is a strong yes. The combination is smart: plateau flyover, Hengill landing for hands-on geothermal views, then power plant flyovers, and a city flyover to close the loop.

The most praised parts you should expect are the incredible views from the seats, the modern clean helicopter feel, and a pilot who makes time for questions. Add the small group cap and the included landing and fuel surcharges, and the value starts to click.

Book it if you want a memorable, high-impact experience that is short enough to fit into a busy Iceland schedule, but still feels like you did something special.

FAQ

How long is the helicopter tour from Reykjavik to Hengill?

It’s listed as about 50 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Ace FBO Reykjavík at Reykjavik Airport, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

Landing and fuel surcharge are included.

Is food included?

No, food is not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

It is offered in English.

How many people are on the helicopter?

The tour has a maximum of 5 travelers.

What is the passenger weight limit?

Total weight per passenger is listed as 265 lbs.