Xinjiang Carpool Tour How to Arrange a Carpool for Sayram Lake Circular Tour Quotation for 4 Person Small Group in Ili Section Recommended Routes Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.
Star-rated Travel Guide✨:Comprehensive Guide to Circumnavigating Sayram Lake by Carpool in Xinjiang – A Deep Experience of the Ili Region with a 4-Person Small Group
[Detailed Introduction to the Route or Destination]
Sayram Lake: A mountain lake in Xinjiang at an altitude of 2,073 meters, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic.’ The lake’s water changes into 12 colors such as Tiffany blue and emerald green depending on the light. The lakeshore stretches for 90 kilometers, offering ecological wonders like swans playing in the water and snow-capped mountain reflections. From June to July, over 20 types of wildflowers such as globeflowers and anemones bloom along the lakeshore. In mid-to-late July, herds of Tianshan red deer can occasionally be seen drinking water. The lake area has a light pollution level of 1, making the summer Milky Way clearly visible and an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts to capture composite images of star trails and lake reflections.
Ili Valley: Known as ‘Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall,’ it combines grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and flower fields. Nalati Grassland is divided into aerial grasslands and valley grasslands, with wildflowers everywhere and herds of cattle and sheep in summer. Kalajun Grassland, a World Natural Heritage site, combines grasslands, forests, and canyons, with a comprehensive ticket covering both eastern and western Kalajun. Huocheng Lavender Garden is in full bloom from mid-to-late June to early July, with tickets to the Jieyou Princess Lavender Garden costing about 20-40 yuan per person. The Xiata Ancient Road is a historic hiking route offering views of snow-capped mountains, forests, and river valleys along the way, with tickets and shuttle buses costing about 80 yuan per person.
[Simple Itinerary (5-Day Deep Experience of the Ili Region with a 4-Person Small Group)]
Star-rated Travel Guide✨: Comprehensive Guide to Circumnavigating Sayram Lake by Carpool in Xinjiang – A Deep Experience of the Ili Region with a 4-Person Small GroupDay 1:Pick up at Yining Airport → Circumnavigate Sayram Lake (about 4 hours) → View the Guozigou Bridge → Check in at Qingshuihe Town
Key Experiences:Purchase tickets at the East Gate of Sayram Lake (145 yuan per person for admission and self-drive ticket). Stop at Kele Yongzhu (swan habitat), Songshu Tou (summit view of the lake area), and Dianjiang Tai (historical site of Genghis Khan’s western expedition). In the evening, cross the Guozigou Bridge to enjoy the magnificent canyon scenery.
Day 2:Qingshuihe Town → Huocheng Lavender Garden (June only) → Ili-Zhaosu Highway → Zhaosu Rapeseed Flower Field → Check in at Zhaosu County
Key Experiences:Photograph the purple flower fields at Huocheng Lavender Garden (complimentary item, canceled after the flower season ends). Travel along the Ili-Zhaosu Highway (expected to open in early June) to enjoy the pastoral scenery of the Ili Valley. The rapeseed flower field in Zhaosu blooms in July, with golden flower fields contrasting against snow-capped mountains.
Day 3:Zhaosu → Hike the Xiata Ancient Road (about 3 hours) → Night view of Tekes Bagua City → Check in at Tekes County
Key Experiences:Light hike along the Xiata Ancient Road, with views of snow-capped mountains, forests, and river valleys along the way. Tekes Bagua City is designed based on the ‘I Ching,’ with streets arranged in a bagua pattern, suitable for aerial photography and leisurely exploration.
[Detailed Introduction to the Route or Destination]Day 4:Tekes → Kalajun Grassland (comprehensive tour) → Check in at a homestay in the Kalajun Scenic Area
Key Experiences:Comprehensive tour of Kalajun Grassland (275 yuan per person), covering grassland, forest, and canyon landscapes, with opportunities for horseback riding and hiking. Stay at a homestay in the scenic area to experience the grassland night up close.
Day 5:Kalajun → Qiongkushatai Village → Nalati Grassland → Return to Yining
Key Experiences:The latter part of the road to Qiongkushatai Village is unpaved, so an SUV is recommended. During peak season, tickets and shuttle buses to Nalati Grassland cost 135 yuan per person, with aerial grasslands and valley grasslands each offering unique features. Return to Yining in the evening to end the itinerary.
[Price Description (Reference for a 4-Person Small Group in 2026)]
Custom Vehicle Rental Fees: A 7-seater business vehicle (e.g., Maxus G10) costs about 1,200-1,500 yuan per day during the off-peak season (May, September-October) and about 1,800-2,200 yuan per day during peak season (June-August, National Day). The total cost for a 5-day itinerary is about 6,000-11,000 yuan (including driver, fuel, tolls, parking, and insurance), subject to the contract.
Sayram Lake: A mountain lake in Xinjiang at an altitude of 2,073 meters, known as ‘the last tear of the Atlantic.’ The lake’s water changes into 12 colors such as Tiffany blue and emerald green depending on the light. The lakeshore stretches for 90 kilometers, offering ecological wonders like swans playing in the water and snow-capped mountain reflections. From June to July, over 20 types of wildflowers such as globeflowers and anemones bloom along the lakeshore. In mid-to-late July, herds of Tian Shan red deer can occasionally be seen drinking water. The lake area has a light pollution level of 1, making the summer Milky Way clearly visible and an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts to capture composite images of star trails and lake reflections.Scenic Area Tickets:Sayram Lake: 145 yuan per person, Nalati: 135 yuan per person, Kalajun: 275 yuan per person, Xiata Ancient Road: 80 yuan per person. The total ticket cost for 4 people is about 2,540 yuan.
Accommodation Fees:The average price for a four-diamond hotel/characteristic wooden house is 350-900 yuan per night. The total accommodation cost for 5 days is about 5,250-13,500 yuan (shared among 4 people).
Catering Fees:The average daily cost is 80-180 yuan per person. The total catering cost for 5 days is about 1,600-3,600 yuan (shared among 4 people).
Total Budget Reference:The average total cost per person for a group of 4 is about 3,800-7,000 yuan, varying based on vehicle type, accommodation standard, and peak/off-peak seasons.
[Registration Method]
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for details.
Ili Valley: Known as ‘Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall,’ it combines grasslands, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and flower fields. Nalati Grassland is divided into aerial grasslands and valley grasslands, with wildflowers everywhere and herds of cattle and sheep in summer. Kalajun Grassland, a World Natural Heritage site, combines grasslands, forests, and canyons, with a comprehensive ticket covering both eastern and western Kalajun. Huocheng Lavender Garden is in full bloom from mid-to-late June to early July, with tickets to the Jieyou Princess Lavender Garden costing about 20-40 yuan per person. The Xiata Ancient Road is a historic hiking route offering views of snow-capped mountains, forests, and river valleys along the way, with tickets and shuttle buses costing about 80 yuan per person.[Fee Description and Service Description]
Fees Included:Vehicle usage fees, driver service fees, fuel costs for the entire journey, toll fees, and basic insurance (e.g., compulsory traffic insurance, carrier liability insurance). Some itineraries may include scenic area tickets and shuttle bus tickets (subject to the itinerary arrangement).
Fees Not Included: Personal catering fees, accommodation fees, personal expenses, and optional project fees within the scenic area (e.g., horseback riding, boat tours) for tourists. The driver’s food and accommodation subsidies must be borne by the guests (about 80-120 yuan per day for meals and about 150-200 yuan per day for accommodation), or they can be negotiated and included in the total price.
Excess Mileage Fees:For mileage exceeding the contractually agreed amount (usually 300-400 kilometers per day), an additional charge of 1.5-2 yuan per kilometer will be applied. Special road dispatch fees: An additional charge of 100-300 yuan per day may apply for mountain roads such as the Duku Highway and Ili-Zhaosu Highway.
Service Description: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency provides compliant operational vehicles, and all drivers hold valid driver’s licenses and professional qualifications certificates, with extensive local driving experience. The itinerary arrangement is flexible and diverse and can be reasonably changed according to tourists’ needs. Both parties can negotiate and reasonably change the itinerary, such as replacing the order of scenic spots or adding photo stops. Due to the operational nature of the vehicles and GPS supervision, major changes require mutual agreement.
Single Registration:Our agency will do its best to coordinate room sharing. Special circumstances require separate negotiation.
[Simple Itinerary (5-Day Deep Experience of the Ili Region with a 4-Person Small Group)]Notes:Subject to actual consultation and contract signing. Prices may fluctuate based on market supply and demand. It is recommended to book 30 days in advance to lock in discounts.
[Practical Tips]
Equipment Suggestions:There is a large temperature difference between day and night in Ili. Even in summer, a windproof jacket is recommended. UV radiation is strong, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat are recommended.
Transportation Tips:Some sections of the desert highway have no signal, so download offline maps in advance. The speed limit around Sayram Lake is 40 km/h.
Policy Description:All scenic areas implement real-name reservation systems, requiring valid identification information to be provided 3 days in advance. The Yuteguan Ancient City in Hotan is closed for maintenance every Monday.
Special Reminder:The jade-picking experience area along the Yurungqash River is limited to specific river sections. Entering unopened areas is prohibited. The complimentary item at Huocheng Lavender Garden is canceled after the flower season ends.
The beauty of Xinjiang lies in its different appearances throughout the four seasons. In 2026, this land is welcoming travelers from afar with a gentle demeanor. Choosing a custom vehicle for a self-guided tour allows for flexible control of the pace while relying on the experience of local drivers to avoid road risks. Do your homework before departure, choose the right service provider, and a worry-free and comfortable journey will begin.
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.
