18 Day Private Car Tour in Northern and Southern Xinjiang Scientifically Planned Route No Backtracking Precise Cost Calculation for Whole Trip Recommended Itinerary Price

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.

Icon prefix:✨18-Day In-Depth Custom Vehicle Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: Scientifically Planned Route, No Backtracking, Transparent and Controllable Costs✨
18-Day Long-Distance Custom Vehicle Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang:Scientific Planning and Comprehensive Cost Analysis
Xinjiang is vast, with distinct landscapes in the northern and southern regions. From snow-capped mountains and grasslands to deserts and gobi, from ancient city ruins to modern cities, an 18-day in-depth tour allows you to fully experience the diverse charm of this land. This article will introduce you in detail to an 18-day scientifically planned custom vehicle route for northern and southern Xinjiang, with no backtracking throughout the journey, and accurately calculate the overall travel costs.
I. Detailed Introduction to Routes or Destinations
The 18-day custom vehicle route for northern and southern Xinjiang starts and ends in Urumqi, connecting the natural scenery of northern Xinjiang with the cultural charm of southern Xinjiang. This route covers core attractions such as Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Bayinbuluk, Duku Highway, Kashgar Old City, Pamir Plateau, Baisha Lake, Muztagh Ata, allowing you to appreciate magnificent natural landscapes and deeply experience the cultural lives of various ethnic groups.
Northern Xinjiang Section:
Kanas:Known as a ‘picturesque paradise on earth,’ with clear waters, surrounded by mountains and dense forests, it is a haven for photography enthusiasts.
Hemu Village:A settlement of the Tuwa people, with primitive wooden houses scattered in an orderly manner. The morning mist intertwined with cooking smoke creates a secluded paradise.
Sayram Lake:Called ‘the last tear of the Atlantic,’ with blue waters, flower fields in summer, and blue ice in winter, it is beautiful in all seasons.
Nalati Grassland:A famous ‘aerial grassland,’ with lush green grass and herds of cattle and sheep in summer, it is an excellent place to experience grassland charm.
Bayinbuluk:Home to a magnificent sunset with ‘nine bends and eighteen turns,’ it is a must-visit for photography enthusiasts.
Duku Highway:A famous scenic highway in China, where you can experience the wonderful changes of ‘four seasons in one day’ along the way, but note the opening hours (usually June-October).
Southern Xinjiang Section:
Kashgar Old City:Representative of the cultural charm of southern Xinjiang, with labyrinthine alleys, traditional residences, and century-old tea houses, full of life.

Icon prefix: ✨18-Day In-Depth Custom Vehicle Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: Scientifically Planned Route, No Backtracking, Transparent and Controllable Costs✨Pamir Plateau:Along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, you can overlook Muztagh Ata and admire the purity of Baisha Lake and the reflection of Karakul Lake.
Baisha Lake:With clear waters surrounded by white sand dunes, it offers a unique landscape and is a great place for photos.
Muztagh Ata:Known as the ‘Father of Ice Mountains,’ with towering peaks and year-round snow, it is a dream destination for mountaineering enthusiasts.
II. Simple Itinerary
Day 1:Pick up at Urumqi Airport, rest in the city
Key Arrangements:Visit the International Bazaar to experience the rich Silk Road charm; ascend Red Hill Park for a panoramic view of the city.
Days 2-4:Urumqi → Kanas
Key Arrangements:
Day 2:Travel by car to Kanas, enjoying the landscape of gobi and oasis along the way.
Day 3:Tour Kanas Lake, Guanyu Platform, and the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay), stay overnight inside the scenic area or at Jiadengyu.
Day 4:Continue in-depth exploration of Kanas, with options for hiking or horseback riding to explore the surrounding beauty.
Days 5-6:Kanas → Hemu Village
Key Arrangements:
Day 5:Head to Hemu Village, appreciate the beauty of Tuwa wooden houses and birch forests, stay overnight in a Hemu wooden cabin.
Day 6:Capture the morning mist in Hemu in the early morning, then return to Burqin, visiting the sunset at Wucaitan on the way.

18-Day Long-Distance Custom Vehicle Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: Scientific Planning and Comprehensive Cost AnalysisDays 7-9:Burqin → Sayram Lake → Nalati Grassland
Key Arrangements:
Day 7:Travel by car to Sayram Lake, tour around the lake, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, and photograph the sunset by the lake in the evening.
Day 8:Enter Sayram Lake again in the early morning to capture the morning mist, then head to Yining to visit the Kazanqi Folk Street.
Day 9:Proceed to Nalati Grassland, experience the vastness of the ‘aerial grassland,’ and choose activities like horseback riding based on interest.
Days 10-12:Nalati Grassland → Bayinbuluk → Duku Highway
Key Arrangements:
Day 10:Explore Nalati Grassland, appreciate the grassland scenery, and experience the charm of various ethnic groups.
Day 11:Travel along the Duku Highway to Bayinbuluk, wait for the sunset with ‘nine bends and eighteen turns’ at the viewing platform in the evening.
Day 12:Continue south along the Duku Highway, enjoy the canyon scenery along the way, and visit the Kuqa Grand Canyon in the afternoon.
Days 13-15:Kuqa → Kashgar
Key Arrangements:
Day 13:Drive to the important town of Kashgar in southern Xinjiang, enjoying the landscape of gobi and oasis along the way.
Day 14:Stroll through Kashgar Old City, experience the night view of the old city, and visit the Id Kah Square.
Day 15:Visit the Xiangfei Garden, learn about the legendary story of Xiangfei, and experience the cultures of various ethnic groups.

Xinjiang is vast, with distinct landscapes in the northern and southern regions. From snow-capped mountains and grasslands to deserts and gobi, from ancient city ruins to modern cities, an 18-day in-depth tour allows you to fully experience the diverse charm of this land. This article will introduce you in detail to an 18-day scientifically planned custom vehicle route for northern and southern Xinjiang, with no backtracking throughout the journey, and accurately calculate the overall travel costs.Days 16-17:Kashgar → Pamir Plateau
Key Arrangements:
Day 16:Travel along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway to the Pamir Plateau, admire the stunning scenery of Baisha Lake and Karakul Lake, and overlook Muztagh Ata.
Day 17:Tour around Taxkorgan County, experience the folk customs of various ethnic groups, then return to Kashgar.
Day 18:Kashgar → Urumqi/Return
Key Arrangements:According to the flight or train schedule, return to Urumqi from Kashgar for a connecting flight or directly return from Kashgar.
III. Price Explanation
According to the market conditions in April 2026, the custom vehicle service provided by Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency is charged on a ‘per vehicle per day’ basis, including driver service, vehicle use, fuel costs, tolls, and parking fees. Driver accommodation and meal subsidies usually need to be paid separately, commonly ranging from 150-200 yuan per day (specifics based on the contract). Here are the average daily reference prices for some vehicle types (unit: yuan/day/vehicle):
7-seat business vehicle:Approximately 1200-1500 yuan in the off-season, approximately 1800-2300 yuan in the peak season
14-seat minibus:Approximately 1600-2200 yuan in the off-season, approximately 2400-2800 yuan in the peak season
Bus with more than 19 seats:Approximately 2300-3000 yuan in the off-season, approximately 3500-4500 yuan in the peak season
Reference prices for scenic spot tickets (unit:yuan/person):
Kanas Scenic Area (including shuttle bus):160 yuan
Hemu Village maintenance fee:52 yuan

I. Detailed Introduction to Routes or DestinationsSayram Lake:70 yuan (additional self-driving ticket for self-driving)
Nalati Grassland:135 yuan (including shuttle bus)
Jincao Beach in Taxkorgan County:30 yuan
Kashgar Old City:Free admission
Note:The above price recommendations are for reference only, and actual costs may fluctuate due to factors such as season, vehicle type, and itinerary complexity. Specific costs shall be based on the tourism contract signed by both parties.
IV. Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and consult with Manager Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, for more itinerary details and registration information.
V. Cost Explanation and Service Explanation
Costs Include:
Vehicle use fee, driver’s salary, fuel costs, tolls, parking fees
Basic insurance (compulsory traffic insurance + commercial insurance, third-party liability ≥ 2 million, seat insurance ≥ 500,000/seat)
Basic vehicle maintenance, emergency simple fault handling
Costs Do Not Include:
Scenic spot tickets and shuttle bus fees
Accommodation costs (can be booked on behalf, with additional fees)

The 18-day custom vehicle route for northern and southern Xinjiang starts and ends in Urumqi, connecting the natural scenery of northern Xinjiang with the cultural charm of southern Xinjiang. This route covers core attractions such as Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Bayinbuluk, Duku Highway, Kashgar Old City, Pamir Plateau, Baisha Lake, Muztagh Ata, allowing you to appreciate magnificent natural landscapes and deeply experience the cultural lives of various ethnic groups. Team meals (can be split evenly or arranged independently)
Personal expenses and items outside the itinerary
Driver accommodation and meal subsidies (if not included in the contract, usually need to be paid separately at 150-200 yuan per day)
Overtime or excess mileage fees (if exceeding the agreed standards, need to be negotiated separately)
Service Explanation:
Provide formal operating vehicles, with drivers holding passenger transport qualification certificates and familiar with routes across Xinjiang
Support the signing of a national tourism electronic contract to protect the rights and interests of both parties
The itinerary can be reasonably changed based on factors such as weather and road conditions
For single registrants, efforts will be made to coordinate room sharing, and special circumstances need to be negotiated separately
VI. Precautions
Xinjiang has large temperature differences between day and night, and even in summer, windproof jackets and warm clothing are necessary.
Signal is weak in some mountainous areas, so it is recommended to download offline maps in advance.
When traveling to high-altitude areas such as the Pamir Plateau, be aware of altitude sickness and prepare in advance.
Respect the customs and habits of local ethnic groups, and obtain consent before photographing people.
The itinerary involves border control areas, and a pass needs to be obtained in advance (can be applied for at the place of residence or locally in Kashgar).
An 18-day long-distance custom vehicle tour of northern and southern Xinjiang is an excellent opportunity to appreciate the diverse charm of Xinjiang. With a scientifically planned route and a transparent cost system, you can fully enjoy the pleasure of travel without worrying about itinerary arrangements and costs. Consult Manager Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, and start your in-depth tour of northern and southern Xinjiang! Specifics are based on actual consultation and contract signing.

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.