See Hemu village and Kanas Lake before turning south to Sayram Lake and the Nalati grasslands.
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 · Travel via Ulungur Lake to Burqin.
Leave Urumqi in the morning and treat this as a long northbound road day. A stop by Ulungur Lake can break up the drive, but the priority is reaching Burqin with time to settle in. Do not combine this transfer with an ambitious evening excursion.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 3 · Visit Hemu village and continue to Jiadengyu.
Travel to Hemu in the morning and allow time to change to visitor transport where required. Explore the village and choose a manageable viewpoint walk. Continue to Jiadengyu later in the day; sunset plans in Hemu may require changing the overnight stop.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 4 · Explore Kanas and stop at Five-Coloured Beach on the return to Burqin.
Reserve the morning for Kanas and its internal transport. Choose the lake or a viewpoint as the priority instead of trying every attraction. The return to Burqin occupies the afternoon; add Five-Coloured Beach only if opening hours and the return schedule fit.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 5 · See the wind-eroded formations at Urho en route to Kuytun.
Break the southbound drive with a visit to the wind-eroded formations at Urho. Choose the main viewing route and carry what you need for exposed, sunny conditions. Continue towards Kuytun after the visit; this remains a transfer day rather than a full day in the park.
Road day: allow for stops, checks and visitor shuttles. Request a dated driving estimate from the operator.
Day 6 · Reach Yining by way of Sayram Lake and Guozigou.
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 7 · Spend the day on the Nalati grasslands.
Give Nalati a full sightseeing day rather than another major intercity transfer. Pick one grassland route in the morning, then leave the afternoon for slower walks and the return shuttle. Horse riding or other paid activities should remain optional and separately quoted.
Pace: sightseeing and short walks; optional activities quoted separately.
Day 8 · Cross the Duku road when open and visit Dushanzi Canyon.
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 9 · Stop at Tianchi before returning to Urumqi.
Start with the drive to Tianchi and allow for the visitor shuttle before reaching the lakeshore. Keep the walk short enough for the return journey to Urumqi. A Red Hill stop can follow if the timing fits; for an airport departure, shorten the sightseeing and confirm the transfer margin.
Pace: sightseeing and short walks; optional activities quoted separately.
Day 10 · 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
A red tiered pagoda rises above the trees on Urumqi’s Red Hill.Trees line a stony riverbank in Burqin County.A rocky riverbank faces Hemu’s wooden houses and autumn trees.Forested slopes surround the blue-green water of Kanas Lake.Wind-eroded rock towers rise above a gravel plain at Urho.Low clouds hang over Sayram Lake as seen from the north bank.Conifers dot the green mountain pastures above Nalati.The Duku Highway curves around a steep, forested mountainside.Conifers frame the blue water and high peaks at Tianchi.Urumqi’s skyline stretches across the horizon below Hongshan Park.Water flows past evergreens at the outlet of Kanas Lake.The road bridge crosses a deep mountain valley at Guozigou.
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.
