JEWELS OF THE ARCTIC - Region Xand the world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund • Hear the cracks of active glaciers as they create Greenland’s famous giant icebergs Witness

Expedition NotesJEWELS OF THE ARCTIC

1PRE-DEPARTURE INFORMATION

Welcome Aboard!Thank you for choosing Aurora Expeditions for your Jewels of the Arctic expedition.

These expedition notes are designed to give you a brief summary of what you may discover on your voyage to the European Arctic. Our emphasis is on personal contact with the environment, wildlife encounters, and visiting sites of historical and cultural significance. Your safety is our priority, closely followed by showing you the best high Arctic experience possible!

Please remember that the enclosed itinerary is merely a guide. All our voyages are expedition-style, and our adventure will be influenced by the cold sea current from Siberia along the east coast, which can result in lower temperatures and means, that even in summer, frequent pack ice can make access unpredictable and sometimes difficult.

Please take the time to read this pre-departure information prior to departing for your voyage. If you have any further questions or wish to book flights, accommodation, tours and transfers not included with the voyage, please do not hesitate to contact your travel agent or your Reservations Consultant.

Aurora ExpeditionsP +61 2 9252 1033 F +61 2 9252 1373E [email protected]

Isa�ordur

Reykjavik

Denmark Strait

GreenlandSea

Hinlopen Strait

NorwegianSea

Arctic Ocean

Longyearbyen

Scoresby Sound

SVALBARD

Bear Island

ARCTIC CIRCLE

GREENLAND

ICELAND

SCOTLAND

NORWAY

AberdeenOban

Important informationTerms and Conditions Please read our terms and conditions carefully to ensure you understand what is included in the voyage cost as well as any fees that may be applicable in case you are required to cancel your voyage.

Please remember that the enclosed itinerary is merely a guide. All of our itineraries are at the mercy of weather conditions and not all landings are guaranteed. Our itineraries are flexible and will change voyage to voyage, allowing the best chance to make the most of surprising wildlife displays and unexpected opportunities.

Voyage Code: GRN31

Dates: 18 to 31 August 2017

Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days

Embark: Reykjavik

Disembark: Longyearbyen

Ship: Polar Pioneer

Itinerary OverviewDay 1 Reykjavik and flight to Isafjordur

Day 2 Denmark Straight

Days 3-9 East Coast of Greenland

Days 10-11 Greenland Sea

Days 12-13 North West coast of Spitsbergen

Day 14 Longyearbyen

* Itinerary includes flight from Reykjavik to Isafjordur

Trip notes prepared December 2015.



Voyage Highlights• See Iceland’s unique landscape of fire and ice• Wildlife-rich Arctic – polar bears, walrus, seals, reindeer, sea birds, musk oxen, Arctic fox and whales• Visit historic sites including museums, whaling stations, geology and fossils• Sail within 600 miles of the North Pole• Visit the world’s largest National Park in North East Greenland,

and the world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund• Hear the cracks of active glaciers as they create Greenland’s famous giant icebergs Witness the midnight sun as it creates nearly 24 hours of sunlight• Cruise past Spitsbergen’s narrow sheltered waterways and fjords such as Kongsfjorden (Kings Bay) and Hornsund Fjord.

Complimentary Polar JacketEach passenger will receive their very own Aurora Expeditions waterproof multi-purpose jacket to use on your voyage. You will receive a link via email prior to your departure to view sizing options and to order your jacket, which will be ready and waiting for you at the start of your voyage.

Optional ActivitySea Kayaking Sea kayak rides in the Arctic offers a truly unique perspective of this amazing polar wonderland. Exploring by kayak is an ideal way to surround yourself in the sights and sounds of the Arctic, to paddle among icebergs and brash ice, and to observe wildlife in an unobtrusive manner. Paddlers will have the option to kayak as often as possible during the voyage, weather conditions permitting, as well as have the opportunity to make shore landings. A surcharge applies.

If you are interested in Sea Kayaking, please contact your travel agent or our Sales Team on +61 2 9252 1033.

Voyage Inclusions• Economy class flight from Reykjavik to Isafjordur• Group transfer to and from Polar Pioneer • Group sightseeing tour in Longyearbyen on arrival,

post-voyage• Accommodation during the voyage• All meals, snacks, tea and coffee during the voyage• All shore excursions and Zodiac (inflatable boat) cruises• Educational lectures and guiding services from our expert team • Access to our on board doctor and basic medical services • Free gumboot hire during the voyage• Daily cabin service• Comprehensive pre-departure information • Professionally produced voyage journal• Port taxes and charges• All entry fees to historic landings sites.

Voyage Exclusions• International or domestic flights to or from Polar Pioneer,

unless specified• Airport arrival or departure taxes• Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary• Visa, passport, and vaccination charges • Travel insurance or emergency evacuation charges• Hotels and meals not included in voyage itinerary• Optional excursions not included in the voyage itinerary• Optional activity surcharge. Please contact us if you wish to book any optional activities, such as sea kayak rides• All items of a personal nature including but not limited to: alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, gratuities, and email or phone charges.



Important Travel Planning InformationPlease note the below information is subject to change. Please call Aurora Expeditions to confirm times or refer to your final documentation.

Getting to ReykjavikA number of major airlines fly into Reykjavik from Europe. Our client services team can assist you with booking your flights to Europe and Reykjavik. Please call 02 9252 1033 or email [email protected] for a detailed flight quote.

Pre-Voyage PackagesPlease check with us for more information on our competitivelypriced pre-voyage packages. These packages normally include anight accommodation in Reykjavik, transfers, meals and the flight between Longyearbyen and Oslo.

EmbarkationYour expedition will embark in Reykjavik on 18 August 2017. Passengers joining our expeditions in Reykjavík will fly fromReykjavík Domestic Airport (RKV) to Ísafjörður. Please check theexact flight times in your final documents and arrive at theairport at least one hour before your flight’s scheduled departuretime. It is recommended that passengers arrive in Reykjavík oneday prior to embarkation.

DisembarkationYour expedition will disembark in Longyearbyen on 31 August 2017 at approximately 09:00. You will enjoy a Longyearbyen towntour before being transferred to airport or your pre-bookedaccommodation.

For passengers intending to fly out of Longyearbyen on the dayof disembarkation, our preferred flight is SK4425 to Tromso/Oslowhich departs at 14:45.

Travel Arrangements Aurora Expeditions has a dedicated team of highly skilled and qualified travel advisors who can assist you in making further travel arrangements in conjunction with your voyage including:- International airfares- Pre- and post-accommodation and touring- Destination information and planning

Please contact your dedicated consultant at [email protected] for further information.

Examples of some pre- and post-cruise packages which we can arrange include accommodation in Oslo and Longyearbyen, the famous "Norway in a Nutshell" rail journey, a Norwegian coastal cruise, and many other fascinating travel options around Scandinavia and Europe.



Detailed Itinerary For those that have opted for our Pre & Post Voyage Package, you will make your own way to our Reykjavik hotel on the day before your voyage departure date. In the morning you will be transferred to Reykjavik airport to catch your flight to Isafjordur (complete details will be provided in your final documentation).

Day 1: Reykjavik – Isafjordur After making your own way to Reykjavik Domestic Airport (please note there are two airports in Reykjavik), you will board your 40 minute flight to Isafjordur, where you will be transferred to Polar Pioneer to begin your voyage.

Please note: This flight does not include any refreshments.

We recommend you arrive into Reykjavik at least one day prior to your flight. Your Reservations Consultant or travel agent can assist you with flights to Iceland and any accommodation, transfers and tours.

Days 2: At sea In the Denmark Strait, we cruise towards Greenland. We will be on the lookout for whale blows and the many seabirds that trail our ship in the uplifting thermals. You will have time to settle into your cabin and meet your fellow expeditioners.

Day 3-9: Scoresby Sund, Kong Oskar Fjords & Kaiser Franz Josef We aim to reach Scoresby Sund, the world’s biggest fjord and a favourite hunting ground of the local Inuit. Massive glaciers dump into this fjord, the birthplace of the famous big Greenland icebergs.

We hope to visit the remote Inuit community of Ittoqqortoormiit (Scoresby Town) and to hike across the tundra in search of ancient graveyards and summer villages occupied 3,000 years ago by Eskimos. This area provides excellent opportunities for sea kayaking in its maze of calm, interconnecting waterways. If we are lucky we may see musk oxen, Arctic hare and seals, and maybe if we are extremely lucky even a polar bear or narwhal, although due to the relentless pursuit of the local hunters, these sightings are very rare.

We will attempt to enter Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord a remote and rarely visited fjord system with countless opportunities for exploration that lies within the North East Greenland National Park. Cruising through Kong Oskar Fjord we will marvel at the geological beauty of the mountains. We will then head south along the coast of Liverpool Land, with our passage dependent on ice conditions.

In the next couple of days our itinerary may take us to Scoresby Sund and Kaiser Franz Josef Fjord. Landings may include:

Sydkap in Scorseby Sund offers good walking and delightful views across the sound. Kayakers will have good opportunities to explore the lonely beaches. We may explore the ancient gravesites on the island, or the lakes with green tunnels and giant icebergs offer hours of enjoyment for kayak and Zodiac rides. Other possible landing points in the area include: Rype Fjord, O Fjord, Fonfjord, Bjorn Oya, Milne Land, Hekla Havn, and Denmark Island.

Ittoqqortoormiit is Scoresby Sund’s colourful Inuit community of approximately 500 people. Feel free to explore the village, fascinating museum or sit quietly in the beautiful Lutheran Church. The people are friendly, and the young children vie for our attention from underneath their Arctic fox-fur jackets.

Sefstrom Glacier adorns the narrow peaked waterway in Alpefjord. Zodiac access is allowable and it is a pretty area, with Arctic flora growing in the autumn light.

Cape Humboldt is a beautiful bay on Ymer Island. There is a good chance to take a tundra walk and witness musk oxen graze. We will also keep a lookout for Arctic fox and ptarmigan. A lone trapper's hut looks over the bay and magnificent icebergs.

Days 10-11: At Sea We head out to sea enroute for Spitsbergen. As we cruise northeast across the Greenland Sea – the main outlet of the Arctic Ocean – we may encounter pack ice and if we are lucky we will see polar bears hunting on the ice.



The strong icy sea currents have isolated East Greenland from the rest of the world for millennia. These currents carry nutrients from the Polar Basin, attracting large numbers of fish, seals and whales. Climatic conditions and the concentration of ice in the vicinity often create thick morning fog that vanishes with the onset of the midday sun. Our experts will entertain us with fascinating talks on plants, animals and early explorers like Nansen, Andree and Scoresby.

Days 12-13: West Coast of Spitsbergen Depending on conditions, we may cruise either north or south along the West Coast of Spitsbergen, stopping at intriguing places in search of the mighty polar bear.

Along Spitsbergen’s North Coast we may explore places such as Woodfjorden and Leifdefjorden, where from our Zodiacs we enjoy magnificent views of glaciers sweeping and tumbling into the sea. We may walk on smooth raised beach terraces to magnificent viewpoints, hike on flowering tundra where reindeer graze and may visit trappers’ huts of yesteryear – all the while remaining alert for wandering polar bears.

We may enter the spectacular Hornsund Fjord in the south where we may take an early morning Zodiac cruise to admire the beautiful ice walls of the Samarin Glacier or take a stroll beneath the towering seabird cliffs at Sofiebogen. In Bellsund Fjord we are always on the lookout for Beluga whales. We may also visit the remnants of a Norwegian Beluga whaling station from the 1930’s. Across the fjord at Våraolbukta is lush and stunning landscape where reindeer roam, Arctic flowers bloom in abundance and Arctic fox may be seen patrolling the little auk colony, where several thousand birds nest here amongst the boulders, coming and going in huge flocks. This is a beautiful place where we can stretch our legs before heading on a south-westerly course towards the East Greenland pack ice belt.

Day 14: Longyearbyen During the early morning we cruise into the port of remote village, Longyearbyen, the ‘Capital’ of Spitsbergen. Enjoy your

sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen and some time at leisure before being transferred to Longyearbyen airport. Your luggage will be transferred directly from Polar Pioneer to the aiport.

We recommend that all passengers overnight in Oslo before continuing on with travel arrangements.

Please note: Sometimes our ship is unable to dock in Longyearbyen port due to space and capacity. In these instances we reach the port by Zodiac. Our expedition team will advise you if this situation arises.

Fitness RequirementsThis voyage is suitable for people of most ages and physical abilities. We offer a variety of soft and harder walking options, some of which may be over uneven and/or slippery surfaces. You are free to choose which activities and outings you would like to participate in, and less nimble passengers are given the choice whether to land or not.

To fully enjoy your expedition, we recommend that you are able to walk up and down the ships gangway (the equivalent to a steep set of stairs), and are able to get in and out of Zodiacs (inflatable rubber boats) with some assistance from our staff. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact Aurora Expeditions on +61 2 9252 1033.

Medical form Please note your Medical Form is required to be signed by your general practitioner and returned to Aurora Expeditions no later than three months, and no earlier than six months, before your voyage departure date.



DocumentationYou should always carry your travel insurance policy, emergency card and photocopies of your passport with you during your holiday.

Travel insurance Aurora Expeditions require that you take out a personal travel insurance policy, including emergency evacuation, to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage and personal belongings, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, and cancellation.

Aurora Expeditions recommend SureSave travel insurance. To arrange your travel insurance please contact your Reservations Consultant or travel agent.

If you take out an alternative policy, you should check that it provides adequate coverage as above. Please advise Aurora Expeditions of your policy details on your personal details form.

Personal details form You are required to return your personal details form to Aurora Expeditions at least 90 days prior to your voyage departure. Please ensure all information is correct and inform us of any changes that may arise.

Passport Please ensure that your passport is valid at least 6 months after your date of your return. If you are not an Australian citizen and are returning to Australia after your trip, ensure that you have the necessary resident return visa / re-entry permit from the Department of Immigration.

Visas Passengers are required to organise their own visas if required for the country you are visiting. Please check with your Reservations Consultant or travel agent if you are unsure.

Money Matters The Icelandic monetary unit is the Kroner. Coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 50 and 100 kroner. Bank notes are in denominations of 500, 2000, 5000 and 10000 kroner.

The Norwegian monetary unit is known as the Norwegian Kroner. It is most often written NOK in international money markets, NKR in northern Europe and KR within Norway. One Krone equals 100 ore. There are 50 ore and 1, 5, 10 & 20 kroner coins, while bills come in 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 kroner.

The Danish krone is the legal tender in Greenland.

Exchanging money In Iceland and Norway, money exchanges, post offices and banks will exchange major foreign currencies and accept all travellers cheques.

In Norway Post offices charge a service fee of 10NKR per travellers cheques with a 20NKR minimum, and 30NKR for any size transaction. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday between 09:00 to 16:00 / 17:00hrs. Some do stay open until later on Thursdays and a few open on Saturday mornings.

For current exchange rate information please refer to www.oanda.com

ATMs and credit cards Automatic teller machines (ATMs) can generally be found adjacent to many banks and at busy public places such as shopping centres. Most major credit cards and Cirrus and Plus bank cards are widely accepted throughout the UK and Scandinavia. Credit cards can be used to buy train tickets.

Informing your bank To minimise the risk of fraud while you are out of the country, it is recommended that you contact your bank and credit card suppliers to advise them of your dates of travel.



Spending money During your voyage you will only require money for souvenir shopping and entry into some historic sites, museums and other places you may wish to visit in Longyearbyen that are not included in our itinerary. In Longyearbyen, you will need to carry the Norwegian Kroner.

You may like to carry a small amount of Danish Krone during the voyage to purchase postage stamps and small souvenirs during our visit to Ittoqqortoormiit.

Security Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. We also recommend you keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum when travelling.

On board payments Polar Pioneer is a cashless vessel, however you will local currency if you intend to purchase any souvenirs during our landings and US Dollars if you wish to tip our Russian crew (we recommend US$10-12, per passenger, per day). For onboard expenses and bar bills, we accept all major credit cards.

CommunicationTelephone The charges for telephone services will be higher than at home. We do not suggest you call from your hotel as they charge their own rates on top of the phone call. You can find public telephone call centres in most major cities and tourist areas. It may also be worth looking into buying a prepaid calling card before you leave home. Check with your local provider for further details.

Email Internet cafes are readily available. Contact your service provider before you leave home, and ask for any suggestions about accessing your emails from abroad.

Mobile phones Please contact your mobile phone service provider for details on international roaming, access and rates. Alternatively, if your phone is not locked to a network you can purchase a pre-paid sim card when you arrive in Europe.

Emergency In the event of an emergency please have your relatives or friends contact Aurora Expeditions on +61 2 9252 1033 and we will get the message to you as soon as possible.



Destination FactsIceland Some extra time in Iceland is well worth it. Explosive sunsets, literature, music and fine arts abound in Iceland. Forged by fire and honed by ice, it is a geological treasure trove, which is volcanically and geologically active. The night life is profound because of the midnight sun, which may influence your sleeping patterns. There are plenty of adventures to go on, including the opportunity to go whale watching, bird watching and visit magical waterfalls. Museums and excellent cuisine are plentiful in the cities, especially in Reykjavik, the country’s capital. Interestingly, until the 20th century Iceland was one of the poorest countries in the world relying on agriculture and fishing. Industrialisation of fisheries and the Marshall Plan (American program to aid Europe after WWII) brought prosperity to the country, which is now one of the most developed on earth.

Area Iceland has a population of about 320,000 and a total area of 103,000 km2.

Climate Iceland enjoys a much milder climate than its name and location adjacent to the Arctic Circle would imply. A branch of the Gulf Stream flows along the southern and the western coast greatly moderating the climate. However, this brings mild Atlantic air in contact with colder Arctic air resulting in a climate that is marked by frequent changes in weather and storminess. The average temperate during the summer months varies from around 10°C to 12°C (20°F to 55°F), with warm summer days reaching just over 20°C (68°F). During daytime, the air is usually cool ("refreshing" is the local euphemism) and cold during night time.

Language Icelanders speak Icelandic, with many also speaking Danish and English.

Greenland Greenland, Kalaallit Nunaat, is almost entirely covered by the second largest icecap on earth, and boasts the world's largest national park. A pioneering country, it is inhabited by Inuit people who eke out a living hunting in one of the harshest environments on earth. You will find yourself in awe at the magnificent and silent beauty of it's natural state. You can appreciate the wild animals who roam free there and take in spectacular views of icy ocean. It has marvelous geology with gravel beaches, dumped by ice-age glaciers and intriguing flat-topped mesas (table mountains ) striated with layers of ancient deposits rising dramatically between massive glaciers. The people are fit and hardy from standing up to the harsh climate, their colourful houses dot the landscape. Greenland has awesome mother nature and you should feel refreshed and invigorated after our visit.

Area Greenland is controversially sometimes labelled as the largest island in the world (Australia is technically larger, some definitions exclude land masses large enough to be considered continents). Greenland’s total area, including the ice sheet is just over 2 million km2 (approximately 3.5 times less than the continent of Australia).

Climate Greenland’s average temperature rarely exceeds 10°C (50° F) in the warmest summer months. In southern parts of the country and the innermost parts of the long fjords, the temperature can, however, rise to more than 20°C (68° F) from June to August. As for most things in Greenland, the climate is influenced by the ever-present ice. The ice is partly responsible for the formation of large high pressure systems that dominate the area during Spring and Summer, and enjoy the typically calm and settled weather. East Greenland has, on average, 300 days of sunshine a year.

Language Greenlandic and Danish are the languages of Greenland. Most people also speak English.



Spitsbergen, Svalbard This wondrous archipelago of Svalbard is the world’s most readily accessible bit of the polar north and one of the most spectacular places imaginable. Meaning ‘Island of the Cold Shores’, Svalbard is located between 74° – 81° N and 10° – 35° E and has a total land mass of 63,000 square kilometres.

Spitsbergen is the largest island is the Svalbard island archipelago. It was named by Dutchman, Willem Barents in 1596, when he was on his way to Novaya Zemlya, searching for a northern route to Asia. The island was first used as a whaling base in the 17th and 18th centuries, after which it was abandoned. Coal mining started at the beginning of the 20th century, and several permanent communities were established. The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 recognizes Norwegian sovereignty and established Svalbard as a free economic zone and a demilitarized zone. With a population of approximately 3,000, Spitsbergen is still virtually an unspoilt wilderness.

Size The land area of Svalbard is 61,022 km2 (23,561 mi2). Spitsbergen takes up half that area followed in size by islands Nordaustlandet and Edgeoya.

Climate A cold sea current from Siberia influences the east coast of Spitsbergen and the resulting lower temperatures mean that even in summer frequent pack ice can make access difficult. In contrast the west coast is warmed by the gulf-stream and can be reached by sea in summertime.

For four months of spring and summer the sun never sets. When we visit during summer, the average temperature is around 4°C to 6°C (39°F to 43°F). Please read through the ‘What to bring’ section in our Expedition Essentials carefully before you depart.

Language The language of Svalbard is Norwegian, however most people also speak English.

Time Norway is one hour past Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 1 hour) and will be 8 hours behind Australia during your voyage. Refer to www.timeanddate.com/worldclock for further details.

Track My Trip Aurora Expeditions offer a complimentary ‘Track My Trip’ system allowing passengers to keep their friends and family updated on their voyage progress whilst in the Arctic. Simply subscribe them to our Track My Trip service by entering their email addresses and we will send them regular updates of your location. They will also be able to check back and follow your journey via a map on our website.

You will receive an email invitation to subscribe to our ‘Track My Trip’ service approximately one month prior to your departure date so please ensure we have your correct email contact.

If you do not receive the registration email, you can register by emailing your name along with your voyage code and departure date to [email protected].



Suggested Information Resources Travel and wildlife apps If you have a smart phone or tablet device, you can download some great free apps to help you with your holiday planning around Norway and Iceland. Search for them in the App Store for iPhones and iPads or in Google Play for Android devices.

• Visit Norway• Oslo – Official City App• Arctic Watch• WWF Together• Reykjavik Map and Walking Tours• Be Iceland

Recommended reading This is a detailed list of reference books about the Arctic. You are not expected to read all, or indeed any of them. Some may be difficult to find, but you could ask your local library to help.

General The Living Tundra Yu I Chernov – Cambridge University Press, 1980-1985. ISBN 0-521-35754-3.The Arctic Year. Freuchen, P. & Salomonson, F. Putnam & Sons, London, 1960.

The Fourth World. The Heritage of the Arctic and its Destruction. S. Hall, 1987. ISBN 0-394-75630-4. A resume of all sorts of threats (colonization, industrialism and oil winning, tourism, etc.) of Arctic areas, especially for the North American region. Recommended as a great contrast to above mentioned books.

Arctic Dreams. Barry Lopez, 1986. The area described in this book is the North Pole and North Canada. A wonderful book about the Arctic areas and as such applicable for Greenland, Spitsbergen and Franz Josef Land. Recommended for everyone.

Arctic Pilot, Sailing Directions. Svalbard. Jan Mayen, 1988. Norwegian Hydrographic Service and Norwegian Polar Research

Institute. An English-Norwegian book, suitable for a first acquaintance. Illustrated with colourful pictures.

Spitsbergen. Hans Heinrich Reinsch, 1979. ISBN 3-921427 07-X. A general introduction about nature in Spitsbergen. Suitable for people with an overall interest.

Svalbard The Land beyond the Northcape. Stefan Lundgren & Olle Carlsson. Picture book. Paperback. SBN 09641652-0-1.

A Short History of Svalbard. T.B. Arlov, 1989. ISBN 82-90307-55-1. A short general view about the history of Spitsbergen.

Geography of Svalbard. Vidar Hisdal, 1985. Norks Polarinstitutt, Oslo. A practical little book with a general introduction about history, geology, landscapes, nature, etc, in Spitsbergen.

Spitzbergen Reise Handbuch. A. Umbreit, 1988. ISBN 3-922965-66-0. English version: Guide to Spitsbergen ISBN 0-946983-33-X. Excellent and most complete tourist handbook at the moment for Spitsbergen.

Frankrijk Spratbow Valenciennes-Cedex. French and English book with many beautiful pictures.

The Frozen Echo: Greenland and the Exploration of North America Ca. A, D. 1000-1500. Kirsten A Seaver. Paperback. Published 1997.

Greenland Mummies (Time Travelers) Janet Buell. Library Binding. Published 1997.

The Greenlanders. Janes Smiley. Mass Market Paperback. Published 1989.

Iceland: Aerials. Klaus D Francke, et al. Hardcover. Published 1994.

Iceland: Land of the Sagas. David Roberts, Jon Krakauer (Photographer). Published 1998.

Insight Guides Iceland (3rd Edition) Tony Perrottet (Editor) / Paperback / Published 1999.



A Kayak Full of Ghosts: Eskimo Tales. Lawrence Millman. Paperback. Published 1987.

Lonely Planet Iceland, Greenland & the Faroe Islands (3rd Edition) Deanna Swaney, Graeme Cornwallis. Paperback. Published 1997.

Tales and Traditions of the Eskimo with a sketch of their habits, religion, language and other peculiarities. Hinrich Rink. Paperback. Published 1998.

Voyage to Greenland: A Personal initiation into Anthropology Frederica De Laguna. Paperback. Published 1995.

The Ammassalick Eskimo : Contributions to the Ethnology of the East Greenland Natives. William C. Thalbitzer (Editor). Hardcover. Published 1931.

Arctic Homeland: Kinship, Community and Development in Northeast Greenland (Anthropological Horizons, Vol 2) Mark Nuttall. Hardcover. Published 1992.

Eskimos, Greenland and Canada (Iconography of religions section 8 – Arctic Peoples) I. Kleivan, B. Sonne. Published 1997.

Boreal Ties – Photographs and Two Diaries of the 1901 Peary Relief Expedition. Edited by Kim Fairley Gillis & Silas Hibbard Ayer III. University of New Mexico Press Albuquerque.

Islands of the Arctic by Julian Dowdeswell and Michael Humbrey. Published by Cambridge.

University Press ISBN 0 521 81333 6 Spitsbergen and Greenland (In particular Scoresby Sund).

A Journey to Svalbard Polar Territory by Christian Kempf – Editions Messene Jean de Cousance Editeur 1999. ISBN 2-911043-87-1.

Wildlife A Complete Guide to Arctic Wildlife By Richard Sale, photographs by Per Michelsen & Richard Sale. Published 2006 by Christopher Helm.Avifauna Svalbardenis H.L. Lovenskiold, 1963-1964. Norsk Polarinstitutt, Skrifter nr. 129. Oslo. Somewhat older, but English version of avifauna of Spitsbergen.

Animals of the Arctic. The ecology of the Far North B. Stonehouse. Eurobook Limited, 1979. A good general introduction about ecology and animal life in the north.

World of the Polar Bear. Fred Bruemmer. North Word Press, Minocqua, 1989. ISBN 1-55971-036-5.

Seabirds. An Identification Guide. P. Harrison, Christopher Helm, London, 1987. ISBN 0-7136-3510-X. Excellent field guide for seabirds all over the world.

In Search of Arctic Birds. Richard Vaughan, T. & A.D. Poyser, London, 1991. ISBN 0-85661-071-2. A general introduction to the arctic and to the strength of the bird population.

The Natural History of Seals W.N. Bonner - Christopher Helm, 1989. ISBN 0-7470-0203-7. 196 pages, illustrated.

A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies (Peterson Feild Guides) Paul A. Opler, Roger Tory Peterson / Paperback / Published 1998.

Vegetation Vegetation of the Soviet Polar Deserts. V.D. Aleksandrova Studies in Polar Research, Cambridge. University Press, Cambridge, 1988. ISBN 0521-329981. A scientific book about the vegetation of the polar desert, the vegetation type you will encounter on the northeast of the Spitsbergen archipelago.

Svalbard's Flora, O.I. Rønning. Polarhåndbok nr. 1, Norks Polarinstitut, Oslo, 1979. ISBN 82-90307-04-7. The flora of Spitsbergen, written in Norwegian. For those with knowledge of biological jargon, surprisingly easy to determine plants.



Flowers of Greenland, J. Feilberg, B. Fredskild, S. Holt Ahrent Flensborg Forlag, 1984.

Flowers of Svalbard, O. Gjaerevoll & O.I. Rønning, 1980. ISBN 82-00-05398-9. Practical English guide with colour prints of most plants on Spitsbergen and Franz Josef Land.

Norway Insight Guide Norway. A profusely illustrated overview of Norway, featuring concise essays by well regarded authors on natural history, politics and culture, hundreds of photos and maps, and some limited practical information. It includes chapters on Oslo, Bergen, the North Cape and other popular destinations.

Lonely Planet Norway, Deanna Swaney. A comprehensive practical guide in the Lonely Planet style, geared for the independent traveller. Features maps, background details on the country and its culture, and other practical information for getting around.

Penguin Historical Atlas of the Vikings – John Haywood. A thorough history of the Vikings as told through a series of innovative maps and excellent photographs of Viking artefacts. This book traces the route of the ninth-century Viking merchants and explorers throughout Europe and on to the New World.

The Norse Myths. Kevin Crossley-Holland. A classic collection of 32 tales of Nordic gods, goddesses and heroes. With an overview of the Norse world, cosmology and gods

The Vikings. Else Roesdahl. A captivating and well-written look at Norse civilization. Roesdahl goes beyond the limited view of the ruthless Viking invaders, instead creating a full picture of the vibrant, artistic, agricultural and exploratory culture.

Documents

JEWELS OF THE ARCTIC - Region Xand the world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sund • Hear the cracks of active glaciers as they create Greenland’s famous giant icebergs Witness