Sat 09 Jan 2010. Welcome to China and the start of your holiday! Enjoy an arrival transfer to our hotel. The capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming rests at 2000m above sea level! Its gentle weather and floral wealth have earned it the nickname ‘City of Eternal Spring’. Overnight - Kunming (D)

Kunming - Dali. Excursion to Stone Forest. Celebrated as a natural wonder, it’s Yunnan’s most visited sight. As we stroll along the winding paths and lookout points, we'll be in awe of the bizaare, tightly packed formations of almost ‘petrified’ stone that forms this unusual attraction 120 km from Kunming. After exploring the Stone Forest, we journey to Qi Cai Yunnan en route back to Kunming. Tonight, we take an overnight train north-west to Dali. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B, L, D)

Picturesquely situated on Lake Erhai with a backdrop formed by the peaks of the 50km long Cang Shang range, Dali is a great place for some gentle-paced exploration and a little relaxation. Covering only about 4 sq km, much of Dali is contained by the remains of its Ming dynasty walls. Sightseeing in Dali and surrounds includes a cruise on Lake Erhai, some orientation stops at some ancient temples and villages, a visit to Butterfly Spring - a popular spot surrounded by a marble ballustrade and overhung by an ancient tree that produces butterfly-like flowers and the famous Three Pagodas. Built when the region was a major Buddhist centre, Dali’s distinctively tall pagodas remain upright, despite wars and earthquakes. The largest of them - Qianxun tower dates back to 824 AD, some hundred years older than the two smaller octagonal pagodas behind, is 64m high, and is embellished with Buddhas made from local richly veined marble on each of its 16 levels. Whilst sealed (preventing entrance inside), in any case the pagodas are best seen from a distance to take in their sheer size. Back in Dali, enjoy some free time exploring the old section of the town. Overnight - Dali (B, L, D)

Dali - Lijiang. Continuing to UNESCO-listed Lijiang - a Naxi stronghold, we enjoy free time in the labyrinthine streets of Dayan Old Town on day 4 and watch a performance of Naxi music in the evening.

On day 5 we head to Tiger leaping gorge on the Yangtze River. Some 16km long and up to 3000m deep, it is the worlds deepest canyon. The gorge is so narrow at various points that legend has it a tiger once escaped pursuit by leaping across. Visiting the gorge, you’ll have a chance to walk a section and take in the dramatic, yet stark scenery. Overnight - Lijiang (B:2, L:2, D:2)

Lijiang - Dali. Today we enjoy an excursion to the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain today; its landscape includes one of the southernmost glaciers in the world. Access to the mountain is provided by a cable lift to Dragon Spruce Meadow, halfway to the glacier peak. Also visit the Yufeng Si Monastery, perched on a slope overlooking a plain. This afternoon we drive back to Dali and spend the evening at leisure. Overnight - Dali (B, L, D)

15 Jan 2010. Dali - Breakfast. Spend the morning at leisure. This afternoon we'll set up and sit poised and ready to witness the ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF 2010. Please note, the exact viewing location of the eclipse is still to be confirmed. Full details to be provided shortly.

An Annular Eclipse occurs when the Sun and the Moon are in perfect allignment. The moon is farther from the Earth than normal and hence its apparant size is not quite sufficient to cover the sun completely. Hence the moon appears slightly smaller in diameter than the Sun and a thin ring of sunlight will remain visable around the dark silhouette of the moon.

The phenomena will begin at 15:11pm, when the moon will first touch the sun. The moon will then continue to creep over and pass in front of the sun till it reaches the start of annularity. Annularity will last for approximately 8 minutes, during which the moon will reach it's maximum magnitude at 16:46pm with a maximum obscuration of 83.10% and continue through to 16:50pm. As the event unfolds the sky will darken to a deep purple colour and resemble that of twilight and the horizon will take on hues of bright orange and red resembling that of a brilliant sunset.

Eclipse site co-ordinates * 101° 43′ 00″ E, 26° 35′ 00″ N

15.11pm - The moon first touches the sun - start of the annular eclipse (1st contact).

16:42pm - Annularity begins (2nd contact)

16:46pm - The moon reaches its maximum magnitude and obscuration of 83.10%

16:50pm - Annularity ends (3rd contact)

18.06pm - The moon is no longer blocking the sun - end of the eclipse (4th contact)

* please note: the above timings are estimated, based upon the eclipse statistics for Panzhihua, 172km north east of Dali.

Once the remarkable event has come to an end, transfer to the station for overnight train to Kunming. Overnight - Sleeper Train (B)

Some 16km from Kunming are the Western Hills (which rise to 2,500m) and Dragon Gate, a series of winding steps, tunnels and statue-filled grottoes leading up to a lookout point, which is also served by a chair-lift. The views from the top extend over Lake Dian, which provides for Kunming’s well-irrigated surrounding lands. Dianchi, also known as Kunming Lake, covers 130 square miles and was formed by a geological fault in the central Yunnan Plateau. It has long been famous for its fish. Indeed, Marco Polo praised the variety and bounty of catches in his 13th century account of his travels in the region. Today enjoy an excursion to the Western Hills and Dragon Gate. Continuing on to visit a flower market. Overnight - Kunming (B, L, D)

Sunday 17 Jan 2010. Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport. (B)