Xinjiang Charter Price for Ili Southern Xinjiang Loop and Taklimakan Route Coaster Minibus Reservation and Comprehensive Guide Recommended Routes Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation
Exploring Xinjiang:Comprehensive Guide to a Customized In-Depth Tour of the Ili + Southern Xinjiang + Taklimakan Desert Loop by Car
I. Itinerary Highlights and Comprehensive Destination Analysis
Nestled within Xinjiang’s vast expanse lie countless enchanting hidden gems. The recommended Ili + Southern Xinjiang + Taklimakan Desert Loop connects diverse landscapes including grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and ancient cities, forming a golden route that combines natural wonders with cultural heritage.
[Ili Valley:Symphony of Grasslands and Flower Seas]
Centered around Sayram Lake, known as the “Last Tear Drop of the Atlantic,” its sapphire-blue waters resemble gemstones. The lakeside highway connects snow-capped peaks, grasslands, and wetlands. In summer, wildflowers blanket the shores while swans glide gracefully, making it a paradise for photographers. Nalati Grassland offers another highlight—its aerial grassland region sits above 2,200 meters elevation, where spruce forests intertwine with meadows dotted with yurts of local ethnic groups. Visitors can experience traditional lifestyles like horseback riding and milking cows.
[Southern Xinjiang Culture:Millennium-Old Cities and Plateau Mysteries]
Kashgar’s Old Town embodies the soul of Southern Xinjiang, with its earth-toned architecture preserving traditional residential styles of various ethnic groups. Wandering through its labyrinthine alleys lined with handicraft workshops and teahouses feels like traveling through time. Tashkurgan County on the Pamir Plateau, inhabited by diverse ethnic groups at over 3,000 meters elevation, features majestic glaciers like Muztagh Ata and Kongur Tagh. The Winding Dragon Ancient Road snakes along mountain ridges with 64 hairpin turns, symbolizing the declaration: “After traversing all life’s winding paths today, tomorrow holds only smooth journeys.”
[Taklimakan Desert:Ultimate Challenge on Desert Highways]
As China’s largest desert, Taklimakan presents stark contrasts between shifting dunes and poplar forests. Traversing desert highways (e.g., Luntai-Minfeng section), visitors witness windbreak grass grids and rose willow thickets. In autumn, golden poplars against azure skies create breathtaking scenes. Dawakun Desert Scenic Area in the desert’s heart offers sandboarding and off-road desert vehicles, allowing travelers to feel the vastness of the desert wilderness.
II. Simple Itinerary Plan (10 Days, 9 Nights)
Day 1:Gather in Urumqi
Exploring Xinjiang: Comprehensive Guide to a Customized In-Depth Tour of the Ili + Southern Xinjiang + Taklimakan Desert Loop by CarCheck into a downtown hotel upon arrival to adjust to time zones and climate. In the evening, visit the International Bazaar to sample specialty dishes like roasted stuffed buns and hand-pulled rice, and purchase ethnic handicrafts.
Day 2:Urumqi → Sayram Lake (~5 hours)
Depart early morning westward along the Lianhuo Expressway, arriving at Sayram Lake by afternoon. Circle the lake, stopping at key viewpoints like Jiangtai and Songshu Tou to photograph snow-capped mountain reflections. Overnight in a lakeside guesthouse.
Day 3:Sayram Lake → Yining → Nalati Grassland (~4 hours)
Drive via the Guozigou Bridge (Xinjiang’s tallest) in the morning to Yining City, visiting the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area to experience courtyard life of ethnic groups. Proceed to Nalati in the afternoon and check into a grassland resort hotel.
Day 4:In-Depth Nalati Grassland Tour
Spend the day exploring aerial grasslands and Winding Dragon Valley, participating in home visits to ethnic families and learning to make dried milk curds. Return to the hotel in the evening.
Day 5:Nalati → Kuqa (~6 hours)
Traverse the southern section of the Duoku Road, stopping at Dragon Pools and the Heavenly Mountains Secret Grand Canyon. Kuqa, an ancient capital city, offers dinner tasting Kuqa giant naan and grilled meats.
Day 6:Kuqa → Kashgar (flight/train)
Opt for an early flight or overnight train to Kashgar to save time. Tour Kashgar’s Old Town in the afternoon, ascending Gaotai Folk Residences for city views, and enjoying ethnic music at a century-old teahouse in the evening.
Day 7:Kashgar → Tashkurgan (~5 hours)
I. Itinerary Highlights and Comprehensive Destination AnalysisObtain border permits in advance. Follow the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway (G314), passing White Sand Lake and Muztagh Ata Peak. Upon arrival in Tashkurgan, visit the Stone City ruins and overnight at a plateau hotel.
Day 8:Tashkurgan → Winding Dragon Ancient Road → Hotan (~8 hours)
Traverse the Winding Dragon Ancient Road at dawn to photograph its iconic road signs. Drive south through the Kunlun Mountains foothills in the afternoon, overnighting in Hotan City to experience night market cuisine.
Day 9:Hotan → Taklimakan Desert → Korla (~7 hours)
Tour Hotan’s jade trading market in the morning, then enter the desert highway to admire poplar forests along the way. Arrive in Korla by evening to sample Korla pears.
Day 10:Korla → Urumqi (flight)
Return according to flight schedules, concluding the itinerary.
III. Custom Vehicle Pricing and Model Selection (2026 Reference)
[Coaster Minibus (17-19 seats)]
Low Season (March-May, October-November):1,200-1,800 RMB/day
Shoulder Season (June, September):1,800-2,200 RMB/day
Peak Season (July-August, National Day):2,300-2,800 RMB/day
Nestled within Xinjiang’s vast expanse lie countless enchanting hidden gems. The recommended Ili + Southern Xinjiang + Taklimakan Desert Loop connects diverse landscapes including grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and ancient cities, forming a golden route that combines natural wonders with cultural heritage.[Other Model References]
7-Seater Business Vehicle (e.g., Maxus G10):800-1,800 RMB/day
12-15 Seater Luxury Minibus:1,600-2,400 RMB/day
33-Seater Coach:1,800-3,500 RMB/day (up to 4,500 RMB during peak season)
[Included Costs]
Vehicle usage fee, driver’s salary, fuel, tolls, parking
Basic insurance (seat insurance ≥500,000 RMB/person, third-party liability insurance)
Driver’s accommodation and meal allowances (included by some companies)
[Notes]
Prices may fluctuate with market supply/demand; confirm via contract
Reserve vehicles 15-30 days in advance during peak season
[Ili Valley: Symphony of Grasslands and Flower Seas] Additional fees may apply for excess mileage or hours (typically limited to 400 km/day, 10 hours/day)
IV. Registration Method and Process
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Contact customer service manager Zhang Jing with group size, duration, budget, and special requests (e.g., child seats, oxygen equipment) to receive customized plans and quotations. Sign an electronic contract after confirming the itinerary, paying a deposit (usually 30% of total cost), with the balance due 7 days before departure.
V. Cost Breakdown and Service Guarantees
[Total Cost Composition]
Custom vehicle fees (calculated by model and duration)
Scenic spot admission and shuttle buses (e.g., Kanas combo ticket 230 RMB/person, Sayram Lake 145 RMB/person)
Accommodation fees (comfortable hotel twin rooms 400-800 RMB/night, higher during peak season)
Meal fees (100-150 RMB/person/day, including specialty dishes)
[Service Standards]
Formal tourism electronic contracts with clear rights/responsibilities
Dual-licensed drivers (driver’s license + tour guide certificate) or professional guides
Centered around Sayram Lake, known as the “Last Tear Drop of the Atlantic,” its sapphire-blue waters resemble gemstones. The lakeside highway connects snow-capped peaks, grasslands, and wetlands. In summer, wildflowers blanket the shores while swans glide gracefully, making it a paradise for photographers. Nalati Grassland offers another highlight—its aerial grassland region sits above 2,200 meters elevation, where spruce forests intertwine with meadows dotted with yurts of local ethnic groups. Visitors can experience traditional lifestyles like horseback riding and milking cows. 24-hour emergency response with vehicle replacement within 4 hours for breakdowns
Border permit application assistance (if needed)
[Special Reminders]
Single travelers will be coordinated for shared rooms where possible; special cases require negotiation
Itinerary adjustments may be made by mutual consent for reasonable reasons (e.g., weather, road conditions)
Subject to actual consultation and contract signing
VI. Pre-Trip Recommended Checklist
Documents:Valid ID, border permit (processed in Kashgar)
Clothing:Fleece jacket, sun protection clothing, comfortable hiking shoes
Medications:Altitude sickness medication, motion sickness pills, gastrointestinal drugs
Electronics:Camera, power bank, offline maps (weak signal in some areas)
Others:Moisturizing skincare, sunglasses, thermos
This Ili + Southern Xinjiang + Taklimakan Desert Loop seamlessly blends Xinjiang’s natural wonders with cultural heritage. Whether experiencing vast grasslands, endless deserts, or the vibrant atmosphere of ancient cities, travelers can deeply feel this land’s diverse charm. Choosing a licensed travel agency and compliant vehicles ensures peace of mind. For further itinerary details or booking services, contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s customer service manager Zhang Jing anytime.
Contact Manager Yang Jia at 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation
