An Aerial Tour of Iceland

You Might Also Like Our Flight Over The Westfjords

As amazing as it was to stand on the cliffs of Þingvellir and survey the rift valley where two tectonic plates are separating, it was even more amazing to fly over that same valley. I think I know why so many birds spend their summers in Iceland. The views are hard to beat.

Aerial tours of Iceland are a booming business, and it’s not hard to understand why. Most of the country is inaccessible by car. Only a handful of roads crisscross the ungovernable interior and even these can only be traversed with 4-wheel drive jeeps. And even then, they’re dangerous, requiring river fording, and are completely off-limits during the winter. There are a lot of spots in Iceland which you have to see from the air, if you want to see them at all.

Our first aerial tour brought us from Reykjavík to the Langjökull Glacier, over Gullfoss, then around by Geysir and Þingvellir, and onto Hekla and Eyjafjallajökull. The country’s astounding geological diversity is truly evident from the air; we passed over fertile valleys, icy glacial expanses, still-smoking volcanoes, and steaming fields of geothermal activity, all within minutes.

This was my first time in a small propeller jet, but I was soon at ease. The flight was smooth and I was too engrossed staring out the window to remember my fears. The plane was a Cessna, a four-seater, and we were allowed to open the windows to get some spectacular shots from above. An unforgettable experience.

This Post Has 15 Comments

  1. Earl Veale

    Those are beautiful shots of Iceland. I visited Iceland last April, and I relied on the bus tour to see Gullfoss, Geysir, and Pingvellir. I loved Iceland. The city of Reykjavik is one of my favourite places in the world – the people there are fantastic.  I’ve told all my friends I intend to return to Iceland one day — and you’ve inspired me to sign-up for a sight-seeing tour the next time I visit. Thank-you for posting these photographs.

  2. Paul D

    Just gorgeous shots. What a landscape. So alive and isolated. 

  3. I have no words to describe how fantastics are the landscapes.I’ve been to Iceland last year, was supposed to fly above the montains, but it was too windy -the plane could not take off.Now I see your pictures, I am mad. ^^

  4. Anne KC

    Amazing views! What time of year was this flight? When I visit, I would want to book this flight!

  5. Damien

    Those are some amazing photos!you say that some of the locations there can be conquered with a 4×4, is a normal 4×4 enough or does it need to be a super jeep?I’m looking at a dacia duster for my upcoming trip in july at http://www.gocarrental.isIs that going to be a sufficient vehicle to see some of those landscapes?

    1. Mike Powell

      I’m not sure; depending on where you’re going, the vehicle requirements might be different. The people you rent your jeep from should be able to tell you exactly where in Iceland you’re allowed to go, and which areas you should avoid.

  6. Mathilde

    I know too little about Iceland.. These images are amazing. I have been looking around the website and found Godafoss as well! Love it!

  7. Joe Kulik

    This is a rare and exceptional photo set.  I doubt that there is another onelike it Anywhere.  The Outstanding quality of the photography is only surpassedby the Amazing diversity, and Incredible beauty of the Icelandic terrain. It istruly difficult for me not to feel Jealous of the Icelandic people when I feastmy eyes with this photo set from Outer Space.

Leave a Reply