2026 Altay Group Tour 6 Day Round Trip to Ulungur Lake Recommended Itinerary Price of Recommended Route
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
The Starry Moonlit Tapestry of Northern Xinjiang:2026 Altay Ulungur Lake 6-Day In-Depth Loop Itinerary Explained
I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: An Ecological Symphony of Desert, Lake, and Village
[Time Travel on the Desert Highway]
The S21 Aru Expressway, Xinjiang’s first desert highway integrating transportation and tourism, achieved full 5G coverage in 2026. This 342-kilometer scenic route connects the Yardang landforms of the Gurbantunggut Desert with the grassland wetlands of the Junggar Basin. Along the way, you may encounter naturally occurring herds of Mongolian gazelles. Stop at viewpoints like the ‘Heart of the Desert Sea’ to observe the Haloxylon forest ecosystem in the desert hinterland through binoculars.
[The Four Seasons Code of Ulungur Lake]
Ulungur Lake in Fuhai County has undergone ecological restoration, forming a dual-lake landscape of ‘Big Lake + Small Lake.’ In summer, experience beach motorcycling on the Golden Coast; in winter, watch the ‘Ice Ballet’ at the Winter Fishing Festival. Wild Duck Island now hosts 12 species of migratory birds. We recommend bringing a telephoto lens to capture flocks of Black-headed Gulls in flight.
[The Living Museum of Tuvan Villages]
Baihaba Village and Hemu Village implement a ‘restricted entry reservation system,’ with a recommended daily quota of 3,000 permits in 2026. The villages preserve traditional wooden log house construction techniques, and visitors can participate in the ‘Build a Tuvan Wooden House’ experience (requires 3-day advance reservation). The century-old birch forest in the village features a science trail where scanning QR codes provides audio interpretations of tree rings.
II. Daily Itinerary Breakdown (Real-Time 2026 Version)
[Day 1:Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Fuhai]
08:00 Pick-up at Urumqi Diwopu Airport; depart in a 7-seat business vehicle
12:30 Lunch at ‘Camel Bell Post Station’ midway on the desert highway (recommended dishes:Fried Allium mongolicum with Eggs + Desert Baked Naan)
The Starry Moonlit Tapestry of Northern Xinjiang: 2026 Altay Ulungur Lake 6-Day In-Depth Loop Itinerary Explained14:00 Arrive at Ulungur Lake Golden Coast; experience sailing (includes life jackets and professional coach guidance)
18:30 Check into lakeside eco-hotel; dinner features Fuhai’s naturally grown fish banquet (Hucho taimen three ways +乔尔泰 sashimi)
[Day 2:Fuhai → Colorful Beach → Baihaba]
07:30 Head to Burqin Colorful Beach to photograph Danxia landforms at sunrise (tripods available for rent)
11:00 Lunch at Sino-Russian Old Wharf Cultural Street (recommended restaurant:Russian Auntie’s Kitchen)
14:30 Obtain permits before entering Baihaba Village; visit the China-Kazakhstan border landscape
19:00 Check into Tuvan wooden house; experience firepit culture (complimentary homemade milk wine tasting)
[Day 3:Baihaba → Kanas Three Bays → Hemu]
06:00 Ascend viewpoint to photograph panoramic Baihaba in morning mist
09:30 Travel through Kanas Scenic Area; stop at Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Crouching Dragon Bay for photography
13:00 Lunch at Jiadengyu Eco-Restaurant (specialty:Dried Meat Naan)
16:00 Arrive at Hemu Village; attend Tuvan folk performance (additional throat singing special on Wednesdays and Saturdays)
I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: An Ecological Symphony of Desert, Lake, and Village[Day 4:Hemu → Qinggeri Wolf Mountain → Fuyun]
08:00 Horseback ride through birch forest from Hemu Bridge (helmets and protective gear provided)
12:00 Lunch at Qinggeri Wolf Mountain Scenic Area (recommended dishes:Hand-Grabbed Mutton + Horse Sausage)
14:30 Visit Wolf Culture Museum; watch wolf feeding performance (closed Tuesdays for maintenance)
18:00 Check into Fuyun County hot spring hotel; experience mineral hot springs (open until 24:00)
[Day 5:Fuyun → Koktokay → Ancient Sea Hot Spring]
09:00 Tour Koktokay National Geopark; focus on No. 3 Mine Pit (guided tours at 10:00/15:00 daily)
13:00 Lunch at Talat Folk Village (recommended experience:Dairy product making with ethnic groups)
16:00 Proceed to Ancient Sea Hot Spring; experience seven-color hot spring pools (8 functional pools including herbal and fish therapy)
[Day 6:Ancient Sea Hot Spring → Urumqi]
09:00 Visit Hot Spring Geological Museum; learn about Xinjiang’s ancient sea evolution
12:00 Free time at Urumqi International Bazaar (recommended purchases:Dried Figs + Handmade Embroidery Bags)
[Time Travel on the Desert Highway]15:00 Airport drop-off based on flight schedule (recommend flights after 18:00)
III. Pricing System Explanation (2026 Reference Range)
[Budget Small Group]
Per capita cost:4,200-5,200 RMB
Includes:3-star hotel accommodation, business vehicle transportation, 5 breakfasts + 8 main meals, first-entry tickets to attractions
Target audience:Budget-conscious travelers, beginner photographers
[Comfort Small Group]
Per capita cost:6,200-7,500 RMB
Includes:4-star hotel accommodation, 7-seat business vehicle, 5 breakfasts + 10 main meals, attraction tickets + shuttle buses, Tuvan home visit experience
Upgraded services:24-hour butler response, daily fresh fruit platter, emergency medical kit
[Premium Small Group]
Per capita cost:8,500-10,500 RMB
The S21 Aru Expressway, Xinjiang’s first desert highway integrating transportation and tourism, achieved full 5G coverage in 2026. This 342-kilometer scenic route connects the Yardang landforms of the Gurbantunggut Desert with the grassland wetlands of the Junggar Basin. Along the way, you may encounter naturally occurring herds of Mongolian gazelles. Stop at viewpoints like the ‘Heart of the Desert Sea’ to observe the Haloxylon forest ecosystem in the desert hinterland through binoculars.Includes:5-star hotel/characteristic wooden house accommodation, luxury off-road vehicle, private guide service, exclusive photography escort
Special experiences:Kanas boat tour, Hemu horseback crossing, expert-led Koktokay tour
Note:Prices may fluctuate during peak season (June-September); actual pricing based on consultation and contract. Groups of 6 receive 5% discount; teams over 10 require separate quotation.
IV. Registration and Service Process
[Registration Method]
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency; consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for detailed itinerary. Services available 9:00-20:00 daily; recommend booking peak season seats 30 days in advance.
[Service Guarantees]
1. Vehicle safety: All operational vehicles equipped with GPS and dashcams
2. Emergency plan: Green channel with local hospitals; AED defibrillators onboard
3. Catering: Partner restaurants HACCP-certified with 48-hour food sample retention
4. Contract standards: Uses latest Ministry of Culture and Tourism contract with clear cancellation/refund terms
[Special Reminders]
[The Four Seasons Code of Ulungur Lake] ▶ Ulungur Lake boat tours require 1-day advance reservation; automatically canceled in winds over Level 5
▶ Koktokay Geopark limits daily visitors to 8,000; recommend first batch entry at 08:30
▶ Drones prohibited in Baihaba Village; violators may face equipment seizure
▶ For morning mist photography at Hemu Viewpoint, recommend anti-skid chains; ice cleats required in winter
V. Pre-Trip Recommended Checklist
[Documents]
Original valid ID, permit (processable at户籍地 or Burqin Administrative Service Center), UnionPay card
[Clothing/Gear]
Windbreaker (windproof/waterproof), quick-dry clothes, mid-high hiking boots, sun hat, magic headscarf, folding umbrella
[Electronics]
Camera (recommend 16-35mm wide-angle lens), spare batteries, power bank, tripod, waterproof phone case
[Medications]
Sunscreen (SPF50+), insect repellent, motion sickness patches, personal medications, insulated water bottle (direct drinking water available at scenic spots)
This ecological loop connecting desert, lake, and village lets you feel life’s rhythm in Ulungur Lake’s blue waves and touch time’s traces in Tuvan villages’ morning mist. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency will unlock Northern Xinjiang’s most authentic appearance with professional services. For specific itinerary details and latest availability, please promptly communicate with Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing.
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
