Days
12
Accommodation
12 nights selected hotel
Cities
Urumqi, Turpan, Yining, Altay, Kanas
Transportation
Flight, Car, Hike
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, bottled water
Experiences
Culture, Nature
Group size
4-12 ppl
Team
Local Guides, Trip Manager
This is a journey across the vast frontiers of Xinjiang, where deserts meet glaciers, and stories drift with the wind across steppe and stone.
Not in museums, but in bustling bazaars, quiet mosques, and yurts where strangers are always welcome.
In 12 days, cross the TienShan mountains and Ili grasslands, ride past yurts and glacier-fed rivers, wander through red rock valleys and border villages, and sleep by the mirrored stillness of Sayram Lake.
From sunrise over Kanas to sunset in Turpan, from Kazakh horseback songs to Uyghur courtyard feasts, every stop reveals a different rhythm of life.
Welcome to Xinjiang—bold, beautiful, and full of soul.
About this Journey
Wind carves the desert. Ice sculpts the peaks. Rivers run from glaciers to vineyards.
Xinjiang isn’t just big. It feels endless.
In twelve days, journey across Xinjiang. From ancient Silk Road cities to alpine lakes that mirror the sky.
Walk red sandstone canyons, taste lamb roasted on open fire, and hear Kazakh herders sing as horses graze at dusk.
One day, you’ll cycle beneath snowy peaks beside the sapphire waters of Sayram Lake. Another, you’ll hike through canyons in Koktokay—China’s own hidden Yosemite.
You’ll wander the mud-brick alleys of Turpan, sleep in a log cabin near the Kazakh border, and sip milk tea in a yurt under the TienShan stars.
Some places feel like paintings—Sayram Lake at dawn, with sky and water indistinguishable.
Others feel like secrets: white birch forests no one writes about, a bonfire beside yurts where stars burn brighter than the flames.
For travelers who want to feel the vastness of the steppe, and the heartbeat of Asia’s farthest frontier—this is Xinjiang.
Route Map
Itinerary
Arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, private transfer to hotel
Visit the Xinjiang Regional Museum to explore Silk Road history and ethnic diversity. Walk up Red Hill Park for panoramic city views by sunset
Welcome dinner with local cuisine: pilaf, lamb skewers & milk tea
Drive to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), enjoy scenic TienShan (means 'Mountains of Heaven', a large system of mountain ranges in Central Asia) landscapes en route(approx. 1.5 hour)
Walk the lake trails, optional boat ride or horseback tour available
Return to Urumqi, dinner with Uyghur cuisine experience
Drive to Turpan, crossing the Gobi and vineyards (approx. 3 hours)
Explore Flaming Mountains, the Karez underground canals & Grape Valley homes
Stay in local guesthouse, enjoy courtyard dinner under desert stars
Transfer to airport for morning flight to Yining (approx. 1.5 hrs); check into hotel and rest briefly
Visit Kazanqi & Six Stars Street, stroll through colorful alleyways and traditional Uyghur-Hui courtyards; enjoy sunset by the Ili River
Try local night market dishes such as baked buns, yogurt curds, smoked horse sausage; enjoy traditional Uyghur dance performance
Drive to Nalati Grassland(approx. 3 hrs), to explore the river valley meadows and the winding Panlong Ancient Trail, and take in the stunning natural beauty
Horseback into spruce forest, visit Kazakh yurts, taste freshly made milk tea & see herding dog demos
Return to Nalati Town for stay the night, roast lamb feast for dinner
After breakfast, depart Nalati and drive to the TienShan Flower Sea (approx. 2 hours) to enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery
Have a simple lunch in Zhaosu (approx. 2 hours), then head north along the stunning Yizhao Highway, crossing the Guozigou Bridge that spans the TienShan Mountains. Arrive at Sayram Lake by dusk (approx. 4.5 hours)
Stay at lakeside cabin, dinner with stunning view
Sleep in and enjoy a delicious breakfast by the lakeside, followed by a relaxing photo session capturing the lake’s mirrored reflections of mountains and sky
Cycle along the lake, enjoy a picnic, or birdwatching
Late afternoon, drive back to Yining (approx. 2.5 hours), then take a flight to Altay (approx. 1 hour)
Early morning drive to Koktokay National Geopark (approx. 3.5 hours)
In the afternoon, visit Divine Bell, Gemstone Valley, Birch Forest, No.3 Mine Pit and Yileimu Lake, a landscape often compared to Yosemite but more
Return to Altay City by car in the evening
Drive to Jiadengyu(approx. 3.5 hrs), then take Kanas Park shuttle to Baihaba(approx. 2 hrs), driving along the Kazakh border
Explore village life, local customs and wooden houses
Return to Kanas New Village(approx. 1 hrs), dinner and rest at hotel
After breakfast, take shuttle (approx. 0.5 hr) to visit scenic sites like GuanYuTai then Kanas Lake
Visit Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Dragon Bay via shuttle bus
Check into your hotel in Jiadengyu and relax for the evening
Drive to Hemu(approx. 2 hrs), transfer to shuttle bus into the village(approx. 1 hr). Tour Tuva village, learn about local culture and log architecture, explore all scenes of nomadic life
Hike the Hadeng lookout platform for the best village view, ride a horse to summit of Meili Peak
Stay in a local log cabin in Hemu village, dinner and astrophotography
After breakfast return to Altay by car(approx. 3 hrs)
Take flight to Urumqi after breakfast(approx. 1 hr), arrival by dusk. Check in hotel
Explore the International Grand Bazaar for carpets, spices, crafts; Farewell dinner to celebrate the journey, enjoy local lunch of spicy chicken and yogurt
Experiences Included
Details
The following items are included in your trip package unless otherwise stated:
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12 nights of accommodation in selected hotels.
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All meals during the trip – daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring local specialties.
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All transportation during the tour, including high-speed trains, airport/train station transfers, and private vehicles for local travel.
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All entrance fees to sites and activities listed in the itinerary.
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Professional English-speaking tour guide throughout the trip, online trip manager where applicable.
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Bottled water and travel support materials.
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Pre-trip support, including travel briefing and packing suggestions.
Scenes from the Journey
How It Works
Perfect trip in 6 simple steps
01 | Tell us what you're looking for
Browse our curated itineraries and click "Get a quote" on the top right to tell us your preffered tour, travel dates, group size, and any special requests. We'll answer questions, confirm details, and discuss any adjustments if needed.
02 | Receive a free draft itinerary & quote
Get a personalized draft travel route and estimated cost, tailored to your needs.
03 | Pay deposit to confirm your booking
Secure your trip with a USD300 deposit — we'll begin crafting your detailed itinerary with refined routes, hotels, and experiences, and work with you until everything is finalized. This fee goes toward your total trip cost and will be deducted from your final balance.
04 | Confirm booking
After finalizing the plan, pay the full payment — we’ll handle all bookings and logistics from there.
05 | Get your pre-travel kit
Receive your pre-departure guide with everything you need to know — routes, contacts, tips, and support.
06 | Travel with full support
We’ll greet you at the airport or designated point — and your journey starts from there, seamlessly.
