Riding next to Reykjavik is already fun. Adding a helicopter flight turns it into a full-on Reykjavik from above day, with ATV mountain views and a mid-flight photo landing. You’re close to the city, but you still get that raw Iceland feeling: rock, wind, and big horizons.

I especially like that the ATV part goes beyond flat paths. You ride up toward Lake Hafravatn and then climb to Reykjavik Peak for photos over Faxaflói Bay, Mount Esja, and the colored rooftops. Then the helicopter gives you angles you can’t fake from the ground.

One drawback to plan around: there’s no drop-off after the helicopter. You’ll end at Reykjavik’s domestic airport, so you’ll need to arrange your way back on your own.

Key Things I’d Focus On

• Reykjavik Peak by ATV with a photo stop over the city and Faxaflói Bay
• Lake Hafravatn trails right near Reykjavik, so the day stays efficient
• Weather-based big views toward the Reykjanes Peninsula and even Snæfellsjökull when visibility is good
• Helicopter route briefing plus a planned mountaintop landing for photos
• No drop-off after the flight, which affects how you plan the rest of your day

How This Quad-and-Heli Combo Fits Together

This is a 5–6 hour “double dose” tour: you start on a quad bike in the Reykjavik region, then you switch gears and fly in a helicopter over the city. The whole point is to see the same general area from two very different perspectives—ground-level grit up close, then high-altitude views that make the geography click.

Timing matters here. Your pickup window is between 09:00 and 09:30, and you need to be ready at 09:00. After that, the day runs like a well-paced sequence: safety check, ATV ride up to the mountain top, a short van transfer to the airport area, then the helicopter portion and your return to the domestic airport.

At $500 per person, you’re paying for two main things: guided adventure on an ATV (including protective gear) and a helicopter flight with a mid-flight landing. If you’ve been thinking about either one separately, doing both on the same day is often the smarter value—because you don’t burn time crossing Iceland or waiting on separate schedules.

Pickup, Gear, and the One Paper You Need

This tour starts with pickup from the Reykjavik area. You’ll be collected from a predetermined meeting point listed on your voucher—either your hotel or the closest bus stop. If your hotel falls into a no-pick-up zone, they’ll assign you to a bus stop instead, so check your voucher details carefully.

You also get a full gear setup for the ATV part. Expect helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear. That’s a big deal in Iceland, because wet wind can turn a fun ride into a miserable one fast. Even if conditions are okay, the gear helps you stay comfortable enough to focus on the driving and the views.

There’s only one document you should bring: a driver’s license. And there’s an important rule baked in:

• only licensed drivers can take the controls of the ATV
• passengers don’t need a license, as long as they meet the age requirement

You’ll also want hiking boots or sneakers. The tour doesn’t mention special riding shoes, so plan on sturdy footwear that can handle rocky trails and quick stops.

Safety Briefing: Boring in Theory, Worth It in Practice

Before you touch the ATV, you get a safety briefing. It’s not just paperwork—this is where you learn how the day’s riding works, what’s expected for both drivers and passengers, and how to handle the group pace.

This part matters because ATV routes on rough terrain can feel intimidating at first. The guides are described as experienced and friendly, and the gear is provided, but your confidence still comes from knowing what you’re doing. You’ll also feel better if you understand how the guides manage spacing and stops for photos.

Quad Bike Time: Lake Hafravatn to Reykjavik Peak

The ATV portion is built around one clear goal: reach mountain views without driving hours away from Reykjavik.

You start with the guided ride on rocky trails toward Lake Hafravatn. Riding around the lake’s shores is a nice warm-up. It gives you time to get comfortable with the ATV feel—grip, steering, and the pace the guides set—before you head into the more dramatic ascent.

Then comes the climb: a daring ascent up Reykjavik Peak. This is the moment you’re there for. Once you reach the top, you stop to take photographs of Reykjavik’s colorful rooftops, the sparkling waters of Faxaflói Bay, and Mount Esjan in the view.

If the weather is notably good, you may also see farther:

• the volcanoes of the Reykjanes Peninsula
• the length of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• all the way to Snæfellsjökull (the glacier crown)

The key is the word notably. Iceland visibility can change fast, and this is one of those parts of the day where you’ll feel the difference immediately. If clouds roll in, you still get mountain-top viewpoints; you just may not reach the far distances.

After the photo stop, you drive back down to the base camp, return the equipment, and then you’re escorted to the Reykjavik domestic airport.

The Helicopter Transfer: When “Ground” Becomes “Sky”

Once your ATV gear is off, the day shifts to airport mode. You board a van for the transfer (about 30 minutes), and then you get to the domestic airport area.

Then the pilot briefs you on the flight route before boarding the helicopter. That briefing is genuinely useful. Even if you can’t predict every turn from the ground, it helps you know what to look for and when. It also sets expectations for the timing of the photo opportunity.

If you’re the type who likes to plan ahead, this is when you should mentally line up your “look for” list: Reykjavik’s coastline shape, the bay, the ridgelines, and the way city neighborhoods stack up against open ground.

Helicopter Flight Over Reykjavik: A Built-In Photo Landing

The helicopter part runs about 45 minutes of flight time, but your overall air experience is longer because of the way they structure it. Total time in the activity is about an hour for the helicopter portion, and the pilot includes a mountaintop landing mid-flight.

Here’s what’s special: you get about 20 minutes during that landing to take photos. This isn’t a rushed look from the air. It’s a pause—time to step your brain out of motion mode and actually see the terrain.

From street level, Reykjavik is beautiful. From higher up, it’s clearer: you see how the city spreads, how the coastline folds, and how the surrounding geography frames everything. A helicopter compresses the world into patterns you can’t easily understand from the road.

One more detail that’s worth keeping in mind: on at least some departures, the landing area has been described near geothermal activity, including a volcano that still produces hot water and steam. You can’t count on that specific feature every time, but it’s a reminder that the “photo landing” can be more than just a viewpoint.

Price and Value: What $500 Really Buys

At $500 per person for a 5–6 hour outing, this isn’t a budget activity. You’re paying for two guided experiences that each cost money to run: the quad operation with gear and guides, and a helicopter flight with a pilot and aircraft time.

Where the value lands well is the combination.

• Doing quad touring and then flying the same day saves time and makes the day feel like one coherent experience instead of two separate excursions.
• The ATV includes protective gear and a guided push to a specific mountain viewpoint, not just a casual spin.
• The helicopter includes not just flight time, but also a planned landing and a dedicated photo window.

Where you should be honest with yourself is this: if you dislike being scheduled to a tight pickup window, or if you don’t like tours that depend on weather for the best views, you might feel the price more than you’d like.

Logistics to Watch: No Drop-Off After the Flight

You’ll be escorted back toward Reykjavik’s domestic airport after the ATV portion and helicopter activity. The tour description says the adventure finishes when you land back at the airport with enough time to enjoy the rest of your day, but the “drop-off” isn’t included.

That means you should plan your return from the airport area on your own. One practical way to handle this is to arrange a ride in advance, so you’re not standing around when you’re tired and still buzzing from rotor noise.

If you’re staying near transit that’s easy to reach from the domestic airport, you’ll likely be fine. If you’re far out, it’s worth thinking about how you’ll get back before you book.

Who This Tour Is Best For

This combo tour fits best when you want variety in one day:

• You want both adventure driving and big aerial views.
• You’re staying in Reykjavik and don’t want a long out-and-back to chase scenery.
• You’re comfortable sharing a ride on a 2-seater ATV or booking a single-rider option if you want to drive.

It’s less ideal if you’re traveling with young kids. The operator notes it’s not suitable for children under 6 years, and it also says children under 8 years. If you’re unsure, contact the provider so you get a clear answer for your specific ages.

Also note the control rule. Only licensed drivers can operate the ATV. If you don’t have a driver’s license in your group, you can still be a passenger, but you should choose your expectations accordingly.

How to Make the Day Feel Easy

You don’t need to overthink it, but you do need to show up ready:

• bring your driver’s license if you plan to drive
• plan for a pickup window and be at the meeting point early
• wear sturdy footwear (the tour recommends hiking boots or sneakers)
• skip alcohol and drugs

Because you get helmets and rain gear, the biggest preparation is mental: get comfortable with the fact that you’re on a schedule, weather affects visibility, and you’ll end at the airport instead of being dropped back at your hotel.

If you like photos, you’ll love the structure. The day builds in two moments that work for pictures: the ATV mountain-top stop and the helicopter landing with about 20 minutes on the ground.

Should You Book This ATV and Helicopter Combo?

Book it if you want a single day that hits two of Iceland’s best “wow” modes: riding rugged terrain near Reykjavik and then flying over the city with a real photo pause. The guided approach, the gear support, and the mountain viewpoints make it feel like more than a stunt—you’re getting views with purpose.

Skip (or at least ask a lot of questions) if either of these situations fits you:

• you don’t want to manage “no drop-off” after the helicopter
• weather matters a lot to your expectations of far-distance views

If you’re on the fence, one good way to decide is to ask yourself what you’ll regret more: spending money on a helicopter flight and seeing clouds, or spending money on an ATV ride and wishing you’d also flown. This tour tries to solve that regret by bundling both into one day.

FAQ

What time does pickup happen?

Pickup starts between 09:00 and 09:30, and you need to be ready at 09:00 at your pickup location.

How long is the tour?

The total experience runs about 5 to 6 hours.

Is pickup included, and is drop-off included?

Pickup is included from Reykjavik hotels (or a nearby bus stop if your hotel is in a no-pick-up zone). Drop-off is not included.

Do passengers need a driver’s license?

Passengers don’t need a driver’s license. Only licensed drivers are allowed to take the controls of the ATV.

What’s included in the ATV gear?

You’ll receive helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear.

What are the age limits?

The tour isn’t suitable for children under 6 years, and it also lists children under 8 years as not suitable. Passengers are allowed with a minimum age of six years old or older.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the live tour guide is available in English.