Circle from Urumqi through Sayram Lake and the Kalajun and Nalati pastures, using the Duku road when open.
About
Private trip planning for your own party. A couple or a family of 2–6 is a useful starting point for a quote, not a minimum group size. No scheduled group departure is advertised.
This is a suggested route to discuss, not a confirmed departure. The day notes explain the pace and transfer needs; your written itinerary must confirm transport, opening hours and overnight stops.
Day 1 · Arrive in Urumqi.
Keep the first half of the day for arrival and the transfer into town. If you arrive early, take a short walk near your accommodation; leave the longer excursion for a full day. Share your flight or train number when requesting pickup.
Transfer timing follows your flight or train.
Day 2 · Cross desert country toward Jinghe or Bole.
This is the westbound transfer out of Urumqi. Plan the morning around leaving the city and the afternoon around road breaks, rather than adding a major excursion. Decide between Jinghe and Bole before booking the overnight room, since this affects the next morning’s approach to Sayram Lake.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 3 · Explore the Sayram lakeshore and continue via Guozigou to Yining.
Spend the first part of the day at Sayram Lake, choosing a few lakeside stops rather than promising a complete circuit. Continue through the Guozigou area towards Yining later in the day. Photograph the bridge only from permitted stopping places; leave time for the onward drive.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 4 · Take the seasonal Yizhao road to Xiata and continue to Tekes.
The proposed day combines the seasonal Yizhao road, Xiata and the onward drive to Tekes. Start early and choose a short valley visit rather than a long hike. If the road is closed or traffic is slow, use a lower-road alternative and reduce the sightseeing instead of arriving late.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 5 · Visit the Kalajun grasslands before travelling to Nalati.
Use the morning for Kalajun, allowing for the visitor shuttle and short walks at the viewpoints you choose. The afternoon also needs to accommodate the drive towards Nalati. Agree on one main grassland area so that transfers do not consume all the visiting time.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 6 · Explore Nalati and take the northern Duku road if open.
Visit a selected Nalati grassland area in the morning. Treat the north Duku crossing as the main afternoon transfer only if the road is open and the schedule leaves enough daylight. Confirm the overnight town and the alternative road before departing Nalati.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 7 · Visit Dushanzi Canyon on the return to Urumqi.
Make the canyon the main sightseeing stop, with time for the approach road and a short viewpoint walk. Keep the rest of the day for the return to Urumqi. Optional paid attractions at the canyon should be listed separately from basic entry and transport.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 8 · Depart from Urumqi.
Leave the morning flexible around your departure time. A nearby breakfast or short walk fits better than a distant attraction; agree on checkout, luggage storage and the transfer meeting time before the last evening.
Transfer timing follows your flight or train.
Scenic
Urumqi’s skyline stretches across the horizon below Hongshan Park.A paved road crosses open, stony country in Jinghe County.Sayram Lake seen from a hillside above the shore.A pale river flows past open meadows and forested slopes in Xiata Canyon.A rider follows a track across rolling pasture at Kalajun.Conifers dot the green mountain pastures above Nalati.A patterned brick tower rises above the Grand Bazaar in Urumqi.A red tiered pagoda rises above the trees on Urumqi’s Red Hill.The road bridge crosses a deep mountain valley at Guozigou.The Duku Highway curves around a steep, forested mountainside.The Ili River glows pink and blue at sunset in Yining.
Hotels
Example preferences, not named or confirmed hotels. Ask the specific property to confirm passport check-in for your dates.
Simple & practical
Request a private room, private bathroom, reliable hot water and a convenient pickup point. Good for travellers who spend most of the day outside.
Comfort
Ask for twin or double beds, breakfast details, quiet rooms and lift access if needed. Confirm cooling or heating for the season.
Character stays
Ask about a small guesthouse or a scenic location. Compare road access, stairs and bathroom facilities with a city hotel before deciding.
Upscale
Request larger rooms and more hotel facilities where available. In mountain towns, prioritise a suitable location and confirmed room conditions over a star label.
Pricing
Pricing
Ask us for a quote
Details
What to include in your quote
The items below are a quote checklist, not inclusions in an advertised package. Ask for each item to be marked included or excluded before paying.
Services to specify
Vehicle, driver, pickup points and daily driving plan
Guide language, working days and guide fees
Named hotels, room type, nights and breakfast
Entrance tickets, park shuttles and listed activities
Budget separately unless listed
International and domestic flights or trains, unless separately listed
Visa costs, travel insurance and personal spending
Unlisted meals, optional activities and room upgrades
Single-room supplements and costs of route changes
Entry and border areas
Check entry eligibility before booking. If your itinerary adds a border-area stop, ask the local operator to verify access and any application steps for your nationality and dates.
Email your dates and party size. Availability, services and the price must be confirmed in a written quote before booking.
Is accommodation confirmed?
Hotel references will be confirmed with your quotation.
Do you arrange border permits?
Kashgar–Karakul–Tashkurgan: before booking, ask the local operator to check access for your nationality, dates and every stop. Assistance with identifying the application office, documents or an appointment must be confirmed in writing; it is not yet included as a promised service.
How do I plan halal meals?
Include your dietary requirements and ask for specific venues before booking.
What is included in the price?
Ask for transport, guide, meals, accommodation and entrance fees as separate lines.
What if a mountain road closes?
Agree on an alternate route and any cost changes before departure.
Tell us the route, travel month and number of travellers. The email opens with these fields ready to fill in. Add room preferences or questions if you have them.
