Now, this was one of the most exciting experiences of my life - I got a phone call from Norðurflug Helicopter Tours, asking me to join one of their tours in half an hour!!
I panicked because I was supposed to be elsewhere, but I said "YES" very quickly because I had been dreaming of a helicopter ride for ages.
Top photo: by the helicopter at the geothermal area
Landing in the geothermal area, on my second visit
It was sunny and just a few clouds in sight on an almost clear sky - the perfect weather for a helicopter ride.
I hurried down to the Reykjavík domestic airport and got there just in the nick of time - and didn't even know where we were headed.
I was thrilled to find out that we were headed for the geothermal area of Hengill, as I had never been there before.
The view of my city from the helicopter
I love visiting geothermal areas, especially on sunny days, as the vivid colours then come out just right.
We flew over Reykjavík, and this was only the second time in my life that I had seen my home city from above.
Back in 2007, I got the chance to fly over Reykjavík in a Jumbo jet on my way to China. It was much more scenic in a helicopter :)
Reykjavík suburbs and Elliðaár salmon river
I couldn't stop taking photos, wanting to cherish every minute of this ride.
Taking photos while inside a helicopter is a bit tricky, but I think they turned out quite nicely.
Doesn't Reykjavík look pretty from above with all the colourful houses and rooftops?
Ölfusvatnslaugar geothermal area
We flew east, and I must say that I lost my bearings for a while as I had never seen Iceland from above like this - what were all these lakes and volcanoes doing there... ;)
The pilot pointed out various places of interest, the lava fields and volcanoes, and showed us the biggest geothermal power plant in Iceland, Hellisheiðavirkjun, with massive geothermal steam rising from it.
After a short while, we landed very smoothly in the Hengill area in a hidden-away geothermal area, which I had never seen before.
I was so excited, and the adrenaline was rushing through my veins.
The geothermal area at Hengill is ever so beautiful, and I cannot believe that I had never been there before, as it is very close to Reykjavík. I love such hidden gems of nature :)
Ölfusvatnslaugar geothermal area
The pilot told me that the best way to reach this geothermal area, Ölfusvatnslaugar, also called Hagavíkurlaugar, was by helicopter, and that hiking up to it would take hours.
Close by is the ever-so-popular Reykjadalur valley, where it is possible to bathe in a warm river.
I adore that place and so do our foreign visitors. See also my travel blog on Reykjadalur and the warm river:
Reykjadalur Valley - Bathe in a Hot River in South Iceland!
Ölfusvatnslaugar geothermal area
There is no bathing in this geothermal area, though, where we landed, and you will see steam rising from various locations; the water is bubbling and boiling, so caution is required here.
I was amazed by the vivid geothermal colours, which were even more vibrant in the sunlight.
Geothermal colours at Hagavíkurlaugar
All of a sudden, another helicopter appeared - also from Norðurflug. We had been flown in by a bright red helicopter, but this one was pitch black.
It was surreal seeing it hover above, and when it landed, it looked like it was landing on top of a volcano, with the steam from the geothermal area as a backdrop. It looked really cool :)
Ölfusvatnslaugar geothermal area
Notice the mud pools in my photo above. You can see how the earth is boiling beneath our feet.
One false move and an accident can occur, which will make the skin boil and peel off, so don't take any risks in such areas!
The safest bet when visiting geothermal areas for the first time is to always have a guide.
With Gísli the pilot at Ölfusvatnslaugar geothermal area
Our pilot, Gísli Matthías Gíslason, was so lovely; he had visited this place so many times before, yet he joined us in our excitement of being in this beautiful geothermal area. Joy and excitement are for sure infectious :)
Gísli has a blog on Facebook called My Life as a helicopter pilot. Do check it out for more footage and videos of his helicopter rides.
On my second visit to the geothermal area in October 2023
I also couldn't believe how smooth the helicopter ride was.
I had always thought that it would be a bit bumpy and that I would get motion sickness, as I always get car sick.
Nothing of the sort, it was smooth "sailing" all the way. Even when the helicopter flew over the volcanic crater Nyrðri-Eldborg and did some acrobatics in the air.
Flying over Nyrðri-Eldborg in 2023
On the way back, we flew a slightly different route than before, and again I saw volcanoes from above, which amazed me; they looked totally different from above.
Some of them look nothing like a volcano from below, but seeing the crater from above makes one realise just how many volcanoes there are in Iceland.
The fantastic view from the helicopter
I saw some new possibilities for a good hike along the lava flow and up to the volcanic crater. It is always very good to have a bird's eye view of things :)
See also my travel blog about my favourite volcanic craters in Iceland:
A Local's favourite Volcanic Craters in Iceland
Rauðhólar as seen from a helicopter
I could also see Rauðhólar pseudo-craters from the helicopter.
I didn't realise what I was looking at right away, so my photo is a bit blurry, but you can see better photos of the beautiful maroon pseudo-craters in my travel blog about Rauðhólar, the pseudo-craters at the outskirts of Reykjavík.
Rauðhólar pseudocraters up close
I am ever so grateful for having joined these helicopter rides. It was totally invaluable for me to see my country from this perspective, and I hope that I am representing it to you justly.
I can only say that this 1-hour helicopter ride was an absolute thrill and should not be missed!
Flying back over Reykjavík and landing at the domestic airport
It was like entering another world for an hour, highly recommended. And of course, now I want to go again ;)
Check out more information on the Geothermal helicopter ride here.
I joined another helicopter ride in 2021 when I went to see the volcanic eruption in Mt. Fagradalsfjall:
A Helicopter Ride to the Volcanic Eruption in Mt. Fagradalsfjall in SW-Iceland
At the Köldulaugar geothermal area
And if you want to visit a geothermal area on your own, then I have written a travel blog about a hike through the Hengill geothermal area, just a 30-minute drive from Reykjavík:
A very colourful Hike through the Hengill Geothermal Area at Nesjavellir in South-West Iceland
Have a lovely time in Iceland :)
