2026 Altay Chartered Car 11 Day Fun Travel Route Combining Lake Area Sightseeing and Mountain Hiking with Detailed Vehicle Cost Analysis Recommended Route Price
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation
Starred Travel Guide:2026 Altay 11-Day In-Depth Tour of Lakes and Mountains✨
I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: Dual Experience of Serene Lakes and Mountain Wilderness
Altay region is renowned as the “Snow Capital of China,” featuring the tranquil Kanas Lake and Sayram Lake in summer, the vibrant autumn foliage of Baihaba and Hemu Village, and the snow-covered General Mountain Ski Resort in winter. This itinerary combines lake viewing with mountain hiking, covering four core areas: Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake, Koktokay National Geopark, and Hemu Village. It connects classic spots such as the “Three Bays” (Fairy Bay, Crescent Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay), Baihaba Border Village, and Hemu Viewing Platform. The average daily driving time is limited to under 3 hours, with hiking trails categorized by difficulty to suit families, photography enthusiasts, and light outdoor adventurers.
II. 11-Day Itinerary Plan (2026 Reference Edition)
D1-D2:Urumqi Gathering • Exploring Northern Xinjiang’s Charm
Day 1:Arrive in Urumqi for free activities. Recommended: Visit the International Bazaar, taste grilled stuffed buns and hand-grabbed mutton, and experience the cultural fusion of various ethnic groups.
Day 2:Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Burqin. Enjoy views of the Gurbantunggut Desert along the way. Arrive in Burqin in the evening for a night tour of the Colorful Beach, capturing the sunset scene of “one river, two shores, green south and yellow north.”
D3-D5:In-Depth Exploration of Kanas Lake Area
Day 3:Burqin → Kanas. Transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to visit Fairy Bay morning mist, Crescent Moon Bay’s “S-shaped” river, and hike the Sleeping Dragon Bay wooden trail (approx. 4.5 km total). Overnight in a Kanas wooden cabin to experience the traditional lifestyle of the Tuwa people.
Starred Travel Guide: 2026 Altay 11-Day In-Depth Tour of Lakes and Mountains✨Day 4:Kanas → Guanyu Platform → Baihaba. Ascend Guanyu Platform for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake. In the afternoon, travel to Baihaba Village at the China-Kazakhstan border to visit the “Northwest First Village” and photograph border cabins framed by snow-capped mountains.
Day 5:Baihaba → Hemu. Trek through primeval forests to reach Hemu Village, known as “God’s Own Backyard.” In the evening, ascend the Hemu Viewing Platform to capture the fairy-tale village with wisps of cooking smoke.
D6-D7:Light Hiking in Hemu • Geological Exploration of Koktokay
Day 6:Hemu → Meilifeng Hike. Trek along dirt paths behind the village to Meilifeng Alpine Pasture (approx. 2 hours one-way). Encounter herds of cattle and sheep, wildflowers, and optional horseback riding (at own expense) at the pasture.
Day 7:Hemu → Koktokay. Tour Koktokay National Geopark, hike along the Irtysh River trail to Zhongshan, observe granite canyon landforms, and visit the No. 3 Mine (Merit Mine).
D8-D9:Sayram Lake Circuit • Photography at Guozigou Bridge
Day 8:Koktokay → Sayram Lake. Drive around the lake or take the scenic shuttle bus, with key stops at Jinhua Zihui (summer wildflowers), Kele Yongzhu (swan habitat), and Songshu Tou (mountain viewpoint). Overnight at a lakeside RV camp or Huocheng County.
Day 9:Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yining. Photograph the grand combination of Guozigou Bridge’s suspension structure with snow-capped mountains and canyons. Arrive in Yining in the afternoon to stroll through Liuxing Street and taste kvass and roast whole lamb.
D10-D11:Skiing at General Mountain (Winter Schedule Adjustment) • Return Journey
I. Key Highlights of the Itinerary: Dual Experience of Serene Lakes and Mountain WildernessDay 10:Yining → General Mountain Ski Resort (winter only). Experience beginner ski slopes or take the cable car to the summit for a panoramic view of Altay City. For non-winter schedules, replace with ice activities at Ulungur Lake (Dec-Feb) or Turpan Karez Park (May-Oct).
Day 11:Return according to flight schedule or extend exploration in Urumqi.
III. Custom Vehicle Rental Fee Breakdown (2026 Market Reference Price)
Vehicle Types and Pricing Rules
5-Seater Sedan:800-1,200 RMB/day (seats 4, ideal for 2-3 travelers)
7-Seater Business Van:1,000-1,500 RMB/day (seats 6, suitable for families or small groups)
9-Seater Off-Road Vehicle:1,200-1,800 RMB/day (high passability for mountain roads)
15-Seater Minibus:1,800-2,600 RMB/day (cost-effective for group travel)
Included Fees
Altay region is renowned as the “Snow Capital of China,” featuring the tranquil Kanas Lake and Sayram Lake in summer, the vibrant autumn foliage of Baihaba and Hemu Village, and the snow-covered General Mountain Ski Resort in winter. This itinerary combines lake viewing with mountain hiking, covering four core areas: Kanas Lake, Sayram Lake, Koktokay National Geopark, and Hemu Village. It connects classic spots such as the “Three Bays” (Fairy Bay, Crescent Moon Bay, and Sleeping Dragon Bay), Baihaba Border Village, and Hemu Viewing Platform. The average daily driving time is limited to under 3 hours, with hiking trails categorized by difficulty to suit families, photography enthusiasts, and light outdoor adventurers. Vehicle rental, fuel, tolls, and parking fees
Driver service fee (8-10 hours daily; overtime requires negotiation)
Vehicle insurance and basic maintenance fees
Excluded Fees
Driver’s accommodation and meals (if overnight stays are required, simple arrangements will be assisted at actual cost)
Tourist admission tickets, shuttle bus tickets, dining, accommodation, and personal expenses
Peak/Off-Peak Season Adjustments
Peak Season (Jun-Oct, Dec-Feb ski season):Prices increase by 20%-30%
Off-Peak Season (Nov, Mar-May):Prices decrease by 15%-20%
II. 11-Day Itinerary Plan (2026 Reference Edition)Prices are subject to market conditions at the time of booking. Reserve vehicles at least 30 days in advance to secure availability.
IV. How to Book
Book through Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency. Contact customer service manager Zhang Jing with travel details (number of people, dates, preferences) to receive a customized itinerary and quotation.
V. Fee and Service Explanation
Fee Transparency
All fees are detailed in the electronic contract, clearly标注ing vehicle type, duration, included/excluded items with no hidden charges.
Service Guarantees
Vehicle Qualifications:Only officially registered tour vehicles with licensed drivers (average 10+ years of driving experience) are used.
Itinerary Flexibility:In case of extreme weather or unexpected scenic area closures, both parties will negotiate to adjust the itinerary order or replace with equivalent attractions (e.g., substitute Baihaba if Kanas is closed).
D1-D2: Urumqi Gathering • Exploring Northern Xinjiang’s CharmEmergency Response:24-hour after-sales team to handle sudden road conditions or health issues.
Special Circumstances Handling
Solo Travelers:We will try to arrange room-sharing. If unavailable, a single supplement fee applies (based on actual accommodation standards).
Children’s Policy:Children under 12 may receive partial ticket discounts (subject to scenic area policies). Hiking trails provide children’s backpacks and anti-loss ropes.
VI. Pre-Trip Recommended Tips
Documents:Valid ID, discount certificates (student/senior/military).
Clothing:Large temperature variations in mountainous areas. Bring windproof jackets in summer and down jackets/snow boots in winter.
Gear:Hiking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, power bank, and high-energy snacks.
Photography:Wide-angle lens for lake views, telephoto lens for wildlife, and drones must be pre-approved by the scenic area.
Altay’s four seasons each offer unique charm, from lakeside morning mists and mountain hikes to border tranquility. With Xinjiang Trailblazer’s custom vehicle rental service, you can focus on enjoying the journey while our professional team handles the details. Actual itineraries and fees are subject to consultation and contract signing. We look forward to your northern Xinjiang adventure!
Contact Manager Yang Jia at 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation
