Reykjavik: Glacier & Hengill Helicopter Tour with 2 Landings

Glacier air on your face, geothermal steam rising, wild Iceland below

You’ll fly straight from Reykjavik over Glymur waterfall before landing on Þórisjökull glacier—snow crunching underfoot and pure silence around you. Then soar above Þingvellir’s tectonic rift before touching down by steaming vents in Hengill’s geothermal valley. This tour lets you feel Iceland’s wildness right on your skin—and leaves you thinking about those wide-open skies long after.

What’s included

Your day covers flights with an English-speaking guide from Reykjavik Domestic Airport—including two separate landings: one atop Þórisjökull glacier where you can walk around or just breathe in that cold air, then another down inside Hengill Geothermal Area where steam rises all around you before flying back toward Reykjavik together.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Helicopter tour with glacier and geothermal landings

• Start at Reykjavik Domestic Airport
• Fly over Glymur waterfall
• Land on Þórisjökull glacier
• Explore glacier: snowball fight and photos
• Fly over Þingvellir National Park
• Land at Hengill Geothermal Area
• Observe hot springs and mud pots
• Fly past Hallgrimskirja church
• View Mount Esja
• See Whale Fjordur

The Experience

We lifted off from Reykjavik’s tiny domestic airport, that nervous flutter in my stomach kicking in as the city shrank beneath us. Our pilot, Jon—who looked like he’d just stepped out of a Nordic saga—pointed out Mount Esja almost right away. The helicopter windows fogged slightly from our breath; outside, the landscape was all patchwork moss and black rock. We skimmed over Glymur waterfall so close I swear I felt the spray, even though Jon said that was impossible. He grinned at me in the headset when I asked if he ever got tired of this view. “Never,” he said.

The first landing was on Þórisjökull glacier. Stepping out, I nearly slipped—icy crust under my boots, air so sharp it made my teeth ache. Someone (not me) started a snowball fight; I tried to make a snow angel but mostly just got wet jeans. The silence up there is weirdly loud—you hear your own breathing and nothing else for a second. Our guide told us about how the glacier shifts every year, carving out its own story in slow motion. I didn’t expect to feel so small or so awake at the same time.

Back in the chopper, we banked toward Þingvellir—Jon called it “the place where continents meet.” You can actually see the rift between North America and Eurasia from above; it looks like someone split the earth with a knife and then left it to heal on its own terms. The lake sparkled under gray clouds, and you could almost imagine Vikings arguing over laws down there (I mean, apparently they did). We flew low enough to spot hikers waving up at us—I waved back, maybe too enthusiastically.

The last stop was Hengill Geothermal Area—a valley you can only get to by helicopter or hours of hiking (no thanks). Steam curled up from boiling mud pots; it smelled faintly like eggs and something metallic. We walked close enough to feel the ground warm through our boots. It’s hard to describe that place without sounding dramatic—it really does feel like another planet. On the way back we caught a glimpse of Hallgrimskirkja’s spire poking up over Reykjavik, and then suddenly we were landing again and it felt like no time had passed at all.

Top questions

How long is the Fire and Ice Helicopter Tour?

The exact duration isn’t listed but includes multiple flights and two landings; plan for several hours including briefing and flight time.

Where does the helicopter tour start?

The tour starts at Reykjavik Domestic Airport.

Are landings guaranteed on both glacier and geothermal area?

No, landings depend on weather and safety conditions each day.

Is there a guide during the tour?

Yes, an English-speaking guide accompanies you throughout the experience.

What are some sights included in this helicopter tour?

You’ll see Mount Esja, Glymur waterfall, Þórisjökull glacier, Þingvellir area, Hengill Geothermal Area, Hallgrimskirkja church, and Whale Fjordur.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for pregnant travelers.

Can you reach Hengill Geothermal Area any other way?

You can only access Hengill by helicopter or by hiking several hours through remote terrain.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; you need to get yourself to Reykjavik Domestic Airport.