In depth Group Tour to Yili, Xinjiang 2026 Latest Itinerary Registration Prices Recommended Itinerary Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send the itinerary and quotation.
2026 Xinjiang Ili In-Depth Group Tour Complete Guide:Unlock Grasslands, Lakes, and Cultural Hidden Gems
[Itinerary Highlights:Immersive Experience Connecting Three Major Geographical Units]
As a core tourist area in northern Xinjiang, Ili in the summer of 2026 attracts tourists from all ethnic groups with its diverse landscape combination of “grasslands + lakes + canyons.” The 8-day in-depth tour route designed by Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency connects three major geographical units: the Tianshan Mountains, the Ili River Valley, and the Junggar Basin, covering core attractions such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Xiata Ancient Path, and the Guozigou Bridge, while incorporating cultural experience scenes such as the Huocheng Lavender Farm and the Kazanqi Folk Village. The route adopts a small group system with 7-seater business vehicles, limiting daily travel time to 4-5 hours and allowing for more than 6 hours of in-depth exploration, balancing natural exploration with cultural perception.
[Simple Itinerary:8 Days, 7 Nights Panoramic Tour]
▶ Day 1:Cultural Exploration in Urumqi
Morning:Arrive at Diwobao International Airport and be transferred by private car to a 4-star hotel in the city center.
Afternoon:Free activities recommended at the Xinjiang Museum (advance reservation required, closed on Mondays), focusing on artifacts unearthed from the “Niya Site” and exhibitions of ethnic costumes.
Dinner:Food exploration in Lingguan Lane (recommended: Walnut Cookies from Maerhaba Pastry Shop, 15 yuan per person).
Accommodation:4-star standard hotel including breakfast.
▶ Day 2:Sayram Lake Circular Adventure
07:30 Depart by car westward along the Lianhuo Expressway (approximately 6-hour drive, with a stop at Jinghe Service Area).
13:30 Arrive at the east gate of the scenic area and transfer to a shuttle bus for a 120-kilometer circular tour around the lake.
Key stops:Moon Bay Viewing Platform, Kele Yongzhu Swan Habitat, and Xihai Grassland Wildflower Area.
2026 Xinjiang Ili In-Depth Group Tour Complete Guide: Unlock Grasslands, Lakes, and Cultural Hidden GemsSpecial Experience:Enjoy a high white trout feast at the Lakeside Starry Sky Camp at 18:00 (included in the tour fee).
Accommodation:RV campground within the scenic area (newly established in 2026, including floor heating).
▶ Day 3:Journey Through the Guozigou Secret Realm
09:00 Photograph the panoramic view of the Guozigou Bridge (excellent viewpoint at the Sayram Lake South Gate Viewing Platform).
11:00 Visit the Huocheng Jieyou Princess Lavender Farm (peak bloom from June 10 to July 10).
14:30 Check in at the Khorgos Port (valid identification required for a pass).
19:00 Night tour of Yining’s Six-Star Street (recommended: Gulandam Ice Cream Shop, handmade ice cream 25 yuan per scoop).
Accommodation:Yining Garden Hotel (renovated and upgraded in 2026).
▶ Day 4:Zhaosu, Hometown of the Heavenly Horses
08:00 Travel along the Yizhao Highway (S237) over Baishi Peak (recommended open from June to September).
12:00 Light hiking on the Xiata Ancient Path (6 km round trip, with views of the Muzart Glacier along the way).
16:00 Watch the Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River performance at Zhaosu Wetland Park (daily performance at 17:00).
Accommodation:Zhaosu Xueyuan Hotel (3 km from the scenic area).
[Itinerary Highlights: Connecting Three Major Geographical Units for an Immersive Experience]▶ Day 5:Kuerdening Ecological Tour
09:00 Travel along the X765 Mountain Road (new scenic route opened in 2026).
18:00 Check into a characteristic homestay in Nalati Town (including a home visit experience with local families).
▶ Day 6:Exploration of Nalati’s Dual Grasslands
Full-day in-depth exploration of the Nalati scenic area:
Air Grassland Route:Nomadic Family – Tiancheng Platform – Heavenly Platform (shuttle bus fee 60 yuan).
River Valley Grassland Route:Tawusani – Ancient Ruins – Forest Park (shuttle bus fee 40 yuan).
Special Arrangement:Participate in a grassland bonfire party at 19:00 (included in the tour fee).
Accommodation:Homestay in Nalati Town (newly rated 4-star in 2026).
▶ Day 7:Crossing the Northern Section of the Duku Highway
08:00 Depart on the Duku Highway (G217), passing by the Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery.
12:00 Picnic at the Tangbula Hundred-Li Gallery (portable meals provided by the travel agency).
16:00 Arrive in Urumqi and check into a hotel near Hongshan Park.
As a core tourist area in northern Xinjiang, Ili in the summer of 2026 attracts tourists from all ethnic groups with its diverse landscape combination of “grasslands + lakes + canyons.” The 8-day in-depth tour route designed by Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency connects three major geographical units: the Tianshan Mountains, the Ili River Valley, and the Junggar Basin, covering core attractions such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Xiata Ancient Path, and the Guozigou Bridge, while incorporating cultural experience scenes such as the Huocheng Lavender Farm and the Kazanqi Folk Village. The route adopts a small group system with 7-seater business vehicles, limiting daily travel time to 4-5 hours and allowing for more than 6 hours of in-depth exploration, balancing natural exploration with cultural perception.Special Note:In case of traffic guidance on the Duku Highway, the route will be changed to G218 eastward over the Aiken Daban Pass.
▶ Day 8:Departure Day
Arrange airport transfer according to flight time, recommended to purchase flights after 15:00 in the afternoon.
Free Activity Suggestions:Purchase dried fruits at the Erdaoqiao Bazaar (recommended: raisins, almonds).
[Price Description:Tiered Customization to Meet Diverse Needs]
The cost of the 2026 Ili group tour is set in tiers based on accommodation, transportation, and experience items:
Economy Type:3980 yuan per person
Includes:3-diamond hotels, regular tourist buses, team breakfasts.
Covers:Basic attraction tickets and shuttle buses.
Comfort Type:5280 yuan per person
Includes:4-diamond hotels, 2+1 land first-class cabins, 6 breakfasts and 10 regular meals (regular meal standard 40-60 yuan per person).
Gifts:Sayram Lake afternoon tea, Nalati bonfire party experience.
High-End Type:6980 yuan per person
[Simple Itinerary: 8 Days, 7 Nights Panoramic Tour]Includes:5-diamond hotels, 7-seater business vehicles, full-course characteristic dining (such as roast whole lamb, Burqin roast fish).
Value-Added:Professional photography guide service, 8G memory card, and custom photo album.
Items Included in the Fee:
Transportation:Full-course air-conditioned tourist vehicles (including fuel and toll fees).
Accommodation:7 nights of standard hotel accommodation (single registrants will be coordinated for room sharing as much as possible, special circumstances require separate negotiation).
Tickets:First admission tickets and shuttle buses for attractions listed in the itinerary.
Experiences:Characteristic dining, folk activities, bonfire parties, etc.
Insurance:Travel agency liability insurance + 500,000 yuan travel accident insurance.
Items Not Included in the Fee:
Round-trip transportation to and from Urumqi.
Personal expenses (such as snacks, souvenirs).
Optional entertainment items (such as horse riding, sailing experiences).
[Registration Method:Professional Team to Ensure the Itinerary]
▶ Day 1: Cultural Exploration in UrumqiYou can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for a detailed itinerary plan. The agency holds formal cultural and tourism qualifications, with a service network covering the entire Ili region, providing 24-hour emergency response and dual guarantees of travel accident insurance. Specific itinerary details and fees are subject to actual consultation and signing, and the contract signed by both parties shall be legally binding.
[Service Guarantees:Details Reflect Quality]
Professional Team:Certified tour guides lead the team, equipped with first aid kits and emergency supplies, daily vehicle inspections before departure, and USB charging ports at each seat.
Dining Standards:Collaborate with certified restaurants within the scenic areas to provide light and palatable meals suitable for tourists of all ages.
Itinerary Flexibility:In case of extreme weather or scenic area policy changes, the游览顺序 (this word means ‘order of visiting places’ and is kept as is for context, but typically would be translated if standalone) can be changed by mutual agreement.
Resource Guarantees:Reserve tickets for limited-entry attractions such as Xiata and Sayram Lake 7-15 days in advance to avoid the risk of no tickets.
Accommodation Selection:Stay in quality hotels near scenic areas or core business districts in the city throughout the trip, avoiding remote accommodations.
[Precautions:Compliant Travel for Peace of Mind]
Document Preparation:Bring valid identification documents, original documents required for applying for a pass at the Khorgos Port.
Weather Response:Ili has large temperature differences between day and night; bring a windbreaker in summer as sudden rain may occur in grassland areas.
Cultural Respect:Remove shoes when entering ethnic families’ yurts, do not step on the threshold, and accept tea with both hands when the host pours it.
Consumption Tips:“Lavender essential oils” around scenic areas should be from正规厂商 (regular manufacturers, kept as is for context but typically translated if standalone); avoid purchasing products mixed with fragrances.
Reservation Policies:Popular attractions such as the Xinjiang Museum and Nalati Grassland require advance reservations, subject to scenic area announcements.
In 2026, Ili will be a picturesque scene woven with the blue of Sayram Lake and the green of Nalati Grassland, a romantic encounter between the glaciers of the Xiata Ancient Path and the lavender of Huocheng. Choose the in-depth group tour by Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency to let a professional team avoid risks and save time for you. Just bring your expectations for the distance and embark on this relaxing journey to northern Xinjiang. Specific itinerary details and fees are subject to actual consultation and signing. For details, consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing.
Contact Manager Yang Jia at 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send the itinerary and quotation.

