Day 1: Kunming
Welcome to China and the start of your holiday. Arrival transfer from airport to 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'. Later today, you'll visit the picturesque Western Hills and the Dragon Gate Grotto. Dinner and overnight - Kunming

Day 2: Kunming - Dali - breakfast
Yunnan Province’s premier natural attraction has to be Shilin, the Stone Forest, an exposed bed of limestone karst spires weathered and split into amazing clusters that take on the appearance of a petrified forest. At least 270 million years old, the dramatic scenery created compels one to explore and take a closer look. The sharp angles and delineations create a strong contrast of shadows just right for photography. Scattered through this strange landscape are natural and artificial ponds, tiny bridges and classical pavilions. The tallest stone pillar towers close to 100 feet. The most interesting natural sights are the Sword Peak Pond, Lotus Blossom Peak, Jade Lake in the Stone Forest and the Peak View Pavilion. Enjoy some time exploring at Shilin, before the journey continues to Qi Cai Yunnan en route back to Kunming. Tonight, an overnight train north-west to Dali. Lunch, dinner and overnight - train

Days 3 - 6: Dali - Lijiang - Dali - Kunming - breakfast
On day 3, 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. Most places of interest are on Fuxing Lu, though the narrow stone streets are good for a wander. The Dali Museum is worth a look, Yu’er Park is a nice peaceful spot for relaxation amongst the camellias and fruit trees, and if you feel like a spot of souvenir shopping, head to Huguo Lu.

Day 4 - leaving Dali,
you’ll travel north by coach/bus to Lijiang. The seat of the Naxi minority peoples, Lijiang lies at 2,500 m in a fantasic mountain setting bordered to the north-west by Tibet. The Naxi are a matriarchal society descended from a race of Tibetan nomads who settled the region before the 10th century who bought with them what are considered the sturdiest horses in all of China and a shamanistic religion known as Dongba (there are still a handful of shamans in Lijiang). With a history spanning 1,300 years, Lijiang possesses rich architecture in what is coined it’s ‘Old Town’. An earthquake in 1996 caused considerable damage, but despite this concerted efforts have been made to painstakingly rebuilt it in the old style. The Old Town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About 100km north of Lijiang is where the Yangtze River’s upper reaches, the Jingsha Jiang channel with force through Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Xia). 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. On day 5, visiting the gorge, you’ll have a chance to hike along a section of the stunning gorge and take in the dramatic, yet stark scenery.

Enjoy on day 6 an excursion to the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain;
its landscape includes one of the southernmost glaciers in the modern world. Shanzidou, the main peak of the mountain at 18,000 feet above sea level, looks like a gigantic dragon clad in white snow all year round. Access to the mountain is provided by a cable lift to Dragon Spruce Meadow, halfway to the glacier peak. Visit also Yufengsi Monastery perched on a slope overlooking a plain. Via Lijiang, a coach will transfer you back to Dali, for your onward overnight journey by train back to Kunming. Lunch, dinner and overnight (1) - Dali, (2) - Lijiang, (1) - train

Day 7: Kunming - breakfast
Excursion to Flower and Bird market. Rest of day free. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Kunming

Day 8: Kunming - breakfast
Hotel check-out and included onward transfer to airport.