Two kinds of speed over Iceland, same day. I love this ATV-to-helicopter combo because you get big views both on rocky trails and in the air, and the day stays tightly planned. I also like the Reykjavik Peak photo stop, where you can see rooftops, Faxaflói Bay, and Mount Esja from high up.

One heads-up: the tour includes pickup, but no drop-off after the helicopter, so plan your return from Reykjavik’s domestic airport.

Key highlights at a glance

• ATV ride to Lake Hafravatn with a guided route that gets you off the city grid
• Ascent to Reykjavik Peak for city-and-bay views plus a built-in photo break
• Helicopter time over Reykjavik with a route briefing from your pilot
• Mid-flight mountaintop landing with about 20 minutes to photograph the surrounding scenery
• Big-day efficiency: ATV gear up front, then straight to the domestic airport
• Weather-dependent views: clearer conditions can add Reykjanes and Snæfellsnes lookouts

The real value: two views of Iceland, one tight schedule

If you’re short on time in Reykjavik, this kind of combo tour makes a lot of sense. You’re not driving far to chase highlights. Instead, you start outside the city on a quad, climb toward the viewpoints above Reykjavik, then you’re already positioned for a helicopter flight that gives you the perspective you just cannot get from the ground.

The price is $500 per person for a 5–6 hour day, which is not cheap. But you are paying for more than seat time. You get guided ATV riding, full safety gear, a safety briefing, van transfer to the airport, and then a helicopter flight with a planned photo stop mid-route. When I look at value, the key question is simple: does it feel like one well-run day of two premium experiences? For this tour, the answer is yes.

You also get a clear structure. There’s pickup, safety gear, guided riding, a mountain-top stop, then a flight route briefing and an airborne viewpoint over the capital. It’s the kind of schedule that works especially well if you’d rather spend your time outside than coordinating different tours on different days.

Pickup and the pre-ride safety briefing (where the day starts)

Your day starts with pickup from a predetermined meeting spot listed on your voucher—either your hotel in Reykjavik city or a nearby bus stop if your hotel is in a no-pick-up zone. You don’t want to be late here. You need to be ready at 09:00, and pickup runs between 09:00 and 09:30.

Before you touch the quad bikes, you’ll get a 30-minute safety briefing. This matters because ATV riding in Iceland isn’t just about fun—it’s about staying comfortable and in control on rocky ground and steep sections. After that, your guides hand out the kit that makes the whole thing survivable in Iceland’s weather.

What you get for gear:

• Helmet
• Gloves
• Overalls
• Ski mask
• Rain gear

That’s a good mix. The overalls and rain gear are the big one-two punch for windy, wet conditions. The ski mask and gloves aren’t just for style; they help with cold air and road spray that can pick up speed fast.

One practical detail: you’ll need a valid driver’s license. Only licensed drivers are permitted to take the controls. Passengers don’t need a license, but the tour does list age limits, and they’re worth reading carefully (more on that in the FAQ).

ATV part 1: rocky trails, Lake Hafravatn, and the climb toward views

Once everyone is kitted up, you head to the ATV base camp on the city outskirts. From there, the ride begins on rocky trails with a guided route. The first major target is Lake Hafravatn.

I like this part because it gives you a change of scenery right away. The ride around the lake’s shores isn’t just a warm-up. It’s where the route starts feeling like true Iceland—not just suburbs with a view, but open ground with big sky and a real sense of being out from under city noise.

Then comes the push upward.

The tour includes a daring ascent to Reykjavik Peak. This is the portion that turns the ATV ride from scenic to memorable. Expect the terrain and the effort level to feel more intense as you climb. The payoff is the top-level photo stop where you can look down on:

• Reykjavik’s colorful rooftops
• Faxaflói Bay
• Mount Esjan

If weather is notably good, you can also see far beyond the immediate area: the Reykjanes Peninsula volcanoes and the length of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, all the way toward Snæfellsjökull. You can’t bank on that extra reach on any given day, but it’s exactly the kind of bonus that makes a good-weather morning feel worth it.

In two quick words: Lake Hafravatn gives you calm contrast, and Reykjavik Peak gives you the money shot.

What happens at the top: photos plus breathing room

At Reykjavik Peak, the experience isn’t just riding—it’s stopping. You reach the summit and take photos from a high vantage point over the city and bay.

This matters because it’s easy to miss viewpoints when a tour is all motion. Here, the pause lets you:

• get your bearings
• frame a few different shots (city-wide and closer angles)
• actually enjoy the view instead of racing past it

Also, if you’re the type who likes to plan a perfect photo spot, this peak is the closest thing the day offers to an intentional viewpoint moment on the ground.

The switch from quad bikes to the helicopter

When the ride wraps up, you return the ATV gear at the base camp. Then you’re escorted to Reykjavik’s domestic airport.

There’s a van transfer time built into the schedule, and that’s smart. You’re not trying to find your own way across town while carrying the energy from an ATV ride and the expectation of a flight.

At the airport, you meet your pilot for a briefing on the flight route. This is where you’ll learn what you’re likely to see from above and how the day will unfold in the air. If you’ve ever looked at Reykjavik from a map and wondered what it looks like from the sky, this portion is the bridge between imagination and reality.

Helicopter flight: 45 minutes up top, about an hour total time, and a photo landing

The helicopter flight itself is listed as 45 minutes, but the overall helicopter portion works out to about one hour including the planned photo break.

One detail I really like: midway through, your pilot makes a mountaintop landing and allows 20 minutes to photograph the surroundings. That turns the helicopter from a simple ride into something more like an airborne viewpoint tour with a deliberate stop.

From street level, Reykjavik is already pretty. From above, it becomes patterned—roads, neighborhoods, water edges, and coastline shape all at once. You get a city-scale view that helps everything click.

A bonus you might hear about from past participants: some flights include a landing on a volcano area where hot water and steam are visible. You shouldn’t count on that exact scenario, but it shows what kind of pilot planning can happen when conditions allow for safe landings and standout scenery.

Timing that protects your day

The tour duration is 5–6 hours, and the structure helps you keep the rest of your Reykjavik plans intact. You’re back to the domestic airport at the end of the flight with enough time to enjoy what’s next—whether that’s a food stop, a walk by the harbor, or just a relaxed evening after an adrenaline-heavy day.

That said, pay attention to the practical logistics at the end, because that’s where the tour’s only major snag can show up.

Price and logistics: what you get for $500, and what to watch

This is a premium-priced day. ATV plus helicopter would normally feel like two separate purchases, and here they’re packaged with pickup and transfers. Gear and guides are included, and that matters. Having someone else handle route planning and safety setup is a big part of why these tours cost what they do.

But logistics are the trade-off.

Pickup is included, and the company handles it from hotels in Reykjavik city (or assigns you to a bus stop if your hotel can’t be picked up). However, drop-off is not included after the helicopter. In one example, a past participant reported that there wasn’t a return vehicle from the airport and they simply walked back, which worked fine for them but may not be your preference.

My advice: before you book, decide how you’ll get back from Reykjavik’s domestic airport. If you’re staying nearby, fine. If you’re not, you’ll want a plan so you’re not stuck thinking on your feet after the flight.

Best for: who should book this ATV and helicopter combo

This tour fits best if you want:

• two different perspectives in one day (ground + air)
• guided riding without figuring out routes
• a viewpoint morning that still leaves room for the rest of Reykjavik

It’s also a strong match if you’re traveling with mixed interests. One part is active and fast, the other part is scenic and relaxed, and both are done inside a single organized timeline.

Who might be less happy:

• If you hate cold or rough weather, rely on the provided gear, and build flexibility around weather-dependent visibility.
• If you need guaranteed transport after the helicopter, plan your return because drop-off isn’t included.

Age rules and who can drive

Before you get excited, check the age and license rules because they’re a little split.

• Only licensed drivers can take the controls.
• Passengers need to be six years old or older (no license required).
• The tour also lists that it isn’t suitable for children under 6 years and also children under 8 years.

So for families, I’d treat this as a minimum age of 8 for the overall activity, unless you confirm the exact allowance for children in the 6–7 range with the operator. It’s better to verify than gamble.

For ATV setup: the ATVs are two-seaters, and you can either share or choose a single rider option by selecting the appropriate choice.

Weather and visibility: when you get extra views

This tour includes a weather-driven bonus. If conditions are notably good, you can see beyond the immediate skyline—toward the Reykjanes Peninsula and along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula with Snæfellsjökull on the horizon.

Even if the far distance isn’t visible, Reykjavik Peak and Hafravatn still deliver. But if you’re chasing the big, far-reaching panorama, you’ll be glad you booked a day when the sky cooperates.

Small but important comfort tips for your ride

You’ll get rain gear and a ski mask, but your comfort still depends on what you bring. The tour recommends hiking boots or sneakers. I agree with that. Rocky terrain plus steering adjustments during the climb means you want stable footwear.

Also:

• You can’t bring alcohol or drugs.
• Bring your driver’s license if you plan to drive.

If you’ve ever done an ATV day in windy conditions, you know it can feel harsher once you’re committed to the climb. The provided kit helps, but wearing sensible shoes is still your job.

Should you book this ATV and helicopter tour from Reykjavik?

Yes, if you want an efficient, high-impact day that mixes action with top-tier viewpoints. The ATV route around Lake Hafravatn, the ascent to Reykjavik Peak, and the helicopter flight over Reykjavik with a mid-flight landing for photos is a rare combo that feels more than just sightseeing.

I’d especially recommend it if:

• you’re in Reykjavik for a limited time
• you want big views without long driving
• you’re comfortable with riding outdoors and in changing weather

Hold off or plan carefully if:

• you want guaranteed return transport after the flight (drop-off isn’t included)
• you’re traveling with kids and need clear confirmation on the exact minimum age they’ll allow for the ATV portion

If you can solve the end-of-day transportation piece, this is a strong value buy for a once-in-a-while Reykjavik experience.

FAQ

How long is the ATV and helicopter combo tour?

It runs about 5 to 6 hours total.

What does the price include?

You get pickup, a 1-hour ATV adventure, all included gear (helmet, gloves, overalls, ski mask, and rain gear), a professional guide for the ATV portion, and a Reykjavik summit helicopter tour.

Do you provide pickup and drop-off?

Pickup is included. Drop-off is not included after the helicopter.

Do passengers need a driver’s license?

No. Only licensed drivers can take the controls. Passengers do not need a license.

What are the age limits for the tour?

Children under 6 years are not suitable, and the tour also says it isn’t suitable for children under 8 years. Passengers need to be six years old or older.

What kind of views will I get during the ATV portion?

You’ll ride to Lake Hafravatn, then ascend to Reykjavik Peak for views over Reykjavik, Faxaflói Bay, and Mount Esja. On notably good weather, you may also see the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula toward Snæfellsjökull.

Is the helicopter flight timed, and is there time for photos?

Yes. The helicopter flight is listed as 45 minutes, and the overall experience includes about 20 minutes for photography after a mid-flight mountaintop landing.