DAY 01
Home city → Urumqi
Transfer to your hotel on arrival in Urumqi, then enjoy free time.
Meals:No meals included
Accommodation:Twin room in a Urumqi hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
TRAVEL MAMA · CHINA PRIVATE TOUR
Northern Xinjiang & Yili 15-Day Private Tour
Keketuohai, Kanas and the grassland circuit
Depart from Urumqi for a fifteen-day journey through Keketuohai, Hemu, Kanas, Sayram Lake and the Yili grasslands, returning via Bayanbulak and Tangbula. This route suits travellers with enough time to explore several Northern Xinjiang and Yili scenic areas in one trip.
15 days / 14 nightsSample itinerary
From HK$13,380Per adult · 4 travellers · twin sharing
Available for a minimum of 2 travellersPrivate small-group tour
Meet in UrumqiFinish in Urumqi
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Meeting & finish points
Meeting point | Urumqi
Transfers are arranged for your own party according to your arrival flight or train. Please provide your arrival time and luggage details when enquiring.
Finish | Urumqi
Airport or station drop-off follows the final day's itinerary and must allow for the day's driving time. Flights and return trains to the destination are not included.
Airport/station transfers and the itinerary vehicle are private to your own party, without sharing with unrelated travellers. Public scenic-area shuttle buses, cable cars and trains may be shared with other visitors according to local operations.
SCENES ALONG THE WAY
Scenery along the way
Urumqi→Keketuohai→Hemu→Kanas→Sayram Lake→Yili grasslands
Journey highlights
Keketuohai, Hemu and Kanas
Sayram Lake, Xiata and Kalajun grassland
Qiongkushitai, Bayanbulak and Tangbula
DAY BY DAY
15 days / 14 nights · sample itinerary
The sightseeing order, attraction access and driving times may be adjusted for weather, traffic and reservations.
DAY 02
Urumqi → Heavenly Lake of Tianshan → Fuyun
Visit Heavenly Lake using the scenic-area shuttle, then make the long journey to Fuyun.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Fuyun hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 03
Fuyun → Keketuohai → Altay
Visit Keketuohai, including admission and shuttle, then continue to Altay for the night.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in an Altay hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 04
Altay → Ahe Highway → Hemu
Follow the Ahe Highway to Hemu to explore the village and wooden houses, staying in a log-cabin guesthouse. Public scenic-area transfers may be required according to local arrangements.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Hemu log-cabin guesthouse
DAY 05
Hemu → Kanas (approximately 1.5 hours to the entrance, then 1 hour by scenic-area transport) → Burqin
Leave Hemu for Kanas in the morning, using public scenic-area transport to explore, then continue to Burqin.
Meals:Not included
Accommodation:Twin room in Burqin accommodation rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 06
Burqin → World Ghost City → Private desert-camp afternoon tea → Kuitun
Visit World Ghost City and enjoy afternoon tea at a desert camp, then continue to Kuitun. Public sightseeing trains or shuttles follow the included ticket arrangements.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Kuitun hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 07
Kuitun → Sayram Lake → Qingshuihe
Travel to Sayram Lake and circle it under the vehicle-entry ticket and site permission, then stay in Qingshuihe.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Qingshuihe hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 08
Qingshuihe → Lavender → Uyghur village → Yizhao Highway → Horses bathing in the river → Zhaosu
Visit lavender fields during June flowering, with a Uyghur family visit and horse-carriage ride, then follow the Yizhao Highway to Zhaosu Wetland to see horses bathing in the river. Confirm alternatives if the road or activity is closed.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Zhaosu hotel rated three diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 09
Zhaosu → Xiata scenic area → Tekes
Visit Xiata, including admission and shuttle, then continue to Tekes. Other activities are charged locally.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Tekes hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 10
Tekes → Qiongkushitai → Tekes Eight Trigrams Town
Visit Qiongkushitai village, then return to Tekes Eight Trigrams Town for another night.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Tekes hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 11
Tekes → Kalajun → Gongliu
Explore Kalajun grassland under the vehicle-entry ticket and scenic-area regulations, then stay in Gongliu.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Gongliu hotel rated three diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 12
Gongliu → Qiaxi / Group video activity / Casual photography / Horse riding → Nalati
Visit Qiaxi for casual photography, video filming and a one-hour horse ride, then travel to Nalati. Confirm the service grouping for riding and photography separately.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Nalati hotel rated three diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 13
Nalati Sky Grassland → Bayanbulak sunset
Visit Nalati Sky Grassland, then continue to Bayanbulak for sunset if weather permits. Both scenic areas use public shuttle transport.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Bayin town hotel rated four diamonds on an online travel platform
DAY 14
Bayanbulak → Hundred-Mile Gallery → Tangbula
Travel through the Hundred-Mile Gallery to Tangbula and stay in a local guesthouse.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Twin room in a Tangbula guesthouse
DAY 15
Tangbula → Duku Highway → Tour ends in Urumqi
Return to Urumqi via the Duku Highway, approximately 450 km and seven and a half hours. Confirm road-opening dates, alternatives and onward transport in advance.
Meals:Breakfast
Accommodation:Tour ends; no overnight accommodation
PRICE REFERENCE
Compare prices by party size
Reference prices are in HKD per adult, based on two adults sharing a room. Campsite accommodation on motorhome routes is specified in the daily itinerary. Departure date, hotel room type and public holidays affect the quotation.
Before 5 June
- 2 travellers
- HK$16,680Per adult
- 4 travellersPrice basis
- HK$13,380Per adult
- 6 travellers
- HK$11,580Per adult
6 June to September
- 2 travellers
- HK$19,780Per adult
- 4 travellersPrice basis
- HK$16,880Per adult
- 6 travellers
- HK$15,080Per adult
The headline starting price is based on 4 travellers; other party sizes have their own prices. The scope of the single-room supplement must be confirmed against the actual hotel and campsite arrangements. Children are quoted individually according to age, height, bed use and breakfast/admission differences.
What's included & excluded
Included
- The itinerary's private vehicle and local driver for your own party.
- The itinerary's private airport/station transfers.
- Standard twin accommodation: 1 night each in Urumqi, Fuyun, Altay, Burqin, Kuitun and Qingshuihe hotels rated four diamonds on an online platform; 1 night in a Hemu log-cabin guesthouse; 1 night in a three-diamond-rated Zhaosu hotel; 2 nights in a four-diamond-rated Tekes hotel; 1 night each in three-diamond-rated Gongliu and Nalati hotels; 1 night in a four-diamond-rated Bayanbulak hotel; and 1 night in a Tangbula guesthouse.
- Includes 13 breakfasts; breakfast is excluded in Hemu.
- Heavenly Lake admission and shuttle; Keketuohai, Hemu, Kanas and Urho Ghost City admission and shuttles; Sayram Lake vehicle-entry ticket; Zhaosu Wetland and Xiata admission and shuttles; Kalajun and Qiaxi vehicle-entry tickets; Nalati admission and Sky Grassland shuttle; Bayanbulak admission and shuttle.
Excluded
- Flights or trains between your home city and the destination, except itinerary transport specifically listed as included.
- Main meals, drinks, personal spending and extra activities not listed as included.
- Supplements for single occupancy, children's beds, occupancy above the specified room allowance and room upgrades.
- Professional guides, ski instructors, equipment hire not listed as included, and other additional services.
- Travel insurance, visas/travel-document applications and any costs not expressly included.
Complimentary experiences & hotel benefits
- One serving of seasonal fruit per person.
- One bottle of mineral water per person per day.
- Lavender-field flower-viewing fee, omitted after the June flowering season.
- Drone video at at least two locations; flying is not possible in strong winds.
- Uyghur family visit, horse-carriage ride and ice cream.
- Walking-and-vehicle video at Sayram Lake, subject to flying conditions; no take-off in rain, strong winds or other adverse weather.
- Casual Sayram Lake photography, with 9 image files.
- Group jump-style video filming.
- Afternoon tea at Ghost City.
- One hour of horse riding in Qiaxi.
Complimentary experiences and hotel benefits are subject to season, weather, operations, reservations, age, height and room occupancy limits. Unused or unavailable complimentary items generally have no separate cash refund. The confirmation must specify the actual arrangements and conditions.
Vehicles, accommodation & travel information
A private vehicle for your own party
Private vehicle: five seats for 2–3 travellers, seven-seat MPV for 4–5, or a large seven-seat MPV for 6.
The tour uses a private vehicle for the same party. The driver drives, helps with ticket purchases and offers general sightseeing suggestions, but normally does not accompany you inside attractions or provide professional guided commentary. An accompanying guide requires a separate quotation.
Airport/station transfers and the itinerary vehicle are private to your own party, without sharing with unrelated travellers. Public scenic-area shuttle buses, cable cars and trains may be shared with other visitors according to local operations.
Accommodation & travelling together
Prices are based on two adults sharing a room. Reference hotels and room types are subject to availability. Diamond ratings quoted by the supplier are online-platform ratings, not official star ratings.
Children are quoted individually by age, height, bed use and room occupancy. A child's basic fare does not mean free participation; breakfast, admission, scenic-area transport, rafting, hot springs and resort benefits may require supplements.
Confirm departure dates and seasonal facilities before booking. Snow conditions, flowering, sunrise/sunset, rime, aerial photography and scenic-road access are not guaranteed on every day.
Before booking, provide the actual entry and travel documents each traveller will use so hotel, attraction and regional reception requirements can be checked. Eligibility for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and other passport holders cannot be inferred from ethnic Chinese identity alone.
Payment, cancellation, amendment and non-refundable confirmed-resource conditions will be stated before booking. Confirmed hotels, tickets and activities may incur actual losses. Travel Mama's quotation and booking confirmation terms apply.
More scenery from the journey
Frequently asked questions
How many people can travel?
Private arrangements are available from 2 travellers. Prices depend on party size, rooms and departure date; the headline starting price on this page is based on 4 travellers.
Are flights included?
Flights or trains to and from the destination are excluded, except itinerary transport specifically listed as included. Confirm transfer cities and timings before arranging flights.
Does a guide accompany the whole tour?
The basic arrangement includes a local driver for transport and general sightseeing suggestions, not a professional guide providing commentary inside attractions. Please request an accompanying guide or a particular language when enquiring.
Will we share the vehicle with other travellers?
Airport/station transfers and the itinerary vehicle are private to your own party, without sharing with unrelated travellers. Public scenic-area shuttle buses, cable cars and trains may be shared with other visitors according to local operations.
How are hotel ratings and complimentary activities confirmed?
Diamond ratings for reference hotels are online-platform ratings, not official star ratings. Complimentary activities, ski areas, cable cars and seasonal scenery depend on opening, weather and reservations. The quotation and booking confirmation specify the final arrangements.
TRAVEL MAMA · ENQUIRY
Enquire about Northern Xinjiang & Yili 15-Day Private Tour
Please provide your departure date, numbers of adults and children, room requirements and arrival city. The Travel Mama team will quote according to the actual arrangements.