Ili Group Tour in June Lavender Season Blooming Period Recommendation + 2026 Costs Recommended Itinerary Costs and Prices

Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation.

In-Depth Guide to Experiencing Ili’s Lavender Season in June:Flowering Period, Itinerary, and Cost Breakdown
🌿 Ili in June:A Duet of Purple Romance and Grassland Feast
In June, the Ili River Valley in Xinjiang is nature’s gifted palette—the lavender fields of Huocheng ripple with purple waves, the Nalati Grassland stretches out as an endless green carpet, and the blue of Sayram Lake intertwines with the green of the Guozigou Pass to form a picturesque scene. In June 2026, the northern section of the Duku Highway is fully open to traffic, and the Yizhao Highway also opens with restricted access, connecting a classic loop route of ‘lake scenery, mountain views, flower fields, and grasslands’ for travelers. This article provides practical references for travelers planning to visit Ili from dimensions such as the actual flowering situation, itinerary design, and cost composition.
🌸 Actual Flowering Situation:Huocheng Lavender’s ‘Golden Fifteen Days’
According to monitoring by the Ili Cultural and Tourism Department and local farms, the prime viewing period for Huocheng lavender in 2026 is from June 15 to June 30. During this time, the first crop of flower spikes reaches a height of 50-60 centimeters, with a deep purple color and strong fragrance, making it an excellent period for photography and experiences. Note:
Regional Differences:The flower fields at Jieyou Princess Farm in Qingshuihe Town are well-organized and suitable for check-in photos; the naturally growing flower fields behind Huanghuang Village, backed by the Tianshan Mountains, offer a stronger atmosphere; the highway flower sea at the 8th Company of the 65th Regiment is open for free with an expansive view.
Daily Time Slots:The light is soft from 7-10 AM, and backlit photography works best from 7-9 PM, while midday sunlight is strong and prone to overexposure.
Tips to Avoid Pitfalls:After July 5, most flower fields will start harvesting for essential oil extraction, so do not believe claims of ‘year-round blooming.’
🚗 Itinerary Design:8-Day Loop Covering Core Attractions
The following itinerary combines the latest road conditions and scenic area policies in 2026, balancing classic attractions with off-the-beaten-path experiences, suitable for travel in mid-to-late June:

In-Depth Guide to Experiencing Ili’s Lavender Season in June: Flowering Period, Itinerary, and Cost BreakdownDay 1:Urumqi → Yining (Flight/Night Train)
Transportation:It is recommended to take an early flight to Yining Airport or arrive by night train the next morning to save time.
Tips:For accommodation in Yining City, it is recommended to stay at a homestay near the Kazanqi Folk Village to experience the blue streets and the lifestyle of various ethnic groups on foot.
Day 2:Yining → Huocheng Lavender → Sayram Lake
Morning:Head to Huocheng Jieyou Princess Farm, avoiding the strong midday sunlight, to capture the flower fields framed by snow-capped mountains.
Afternoon:Drive or take a custom vehicle around Sayram Lake, with key stops at Dianjiangtai (lake reflections) and Songshutou (hike to the top for a view of the Guozigou Bridge).
Accommodation:Qingshuihe Town or Sayram Lake RV Campground (book in advance).
Day 3:Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Yizhao Highway → Zhaosu
Morning:Re-enter the lake area to capture morning mist (if staying inside the scenic area), or head to the Guozigou Viewing Platform to photograph the full view of the bridge.
Afternoon:Traverse the Yizhao Highway (recommended open from June-October, limited to vehicles under 7 seats), with stops at the Baishifeng Viewing Platform along the way.
Evening:Arrive in Zhaosu, tour the Tekes River Wetland, and photograph the sunset over the wild horses bathing in the river.

🌿 Ili in June: A Duet of Purple Romance and Grassland FeastDay 4:Zhaosu → Xiata Ancient Road → Tekes
Morning:Light hike on the Xiata Ancient Road from General Bridge to Flower Terrace (about 3 km) for a close-up view of the Muzart Glacier.
Afternoon:Drive to Tekes八卦城 (Bagua City), ride the Ferris wheel on Li Street or take an aerial photo to overlook the city layout.
Accommodation:Comfortable hotel in Tekes County.
Day 5:Tekes → Karajun Grassland → Kuokexu Grand Canyon
Full Day:Comprehensive tour of Karajun, taking the shuttle bus to Flower Terrace in the morning to photograph the wild poppy flower sea, hiking at Eagle Hunting Platform at noon; in the afternoon, take a boat across the Kuokexu Grand Canyon to photograph the curves of the ‘human body grassland.’
Tips:Signal is weak inside the scenic area, so download offline maps in advance.
Day 6:Tekes → Qiongkushatai Village
Full Day:In-depth exploration of Qiongkushatai, hiking along the Wusun Ancient Road to the back mountains, visiting the yurts of local Kazakh people, and experiencing daily life scenes such as milking cows and making nang (bread).
Accommodation:Homestay in the village (conditions are limited but offer an authentic experience).

In June, the Ili River Valley in Xinjiang is nature’s gifted palette—the lavender fields of Huocheng ripple with purple waves, the Nalati Grassland stretches out as an endless green carpet, and the blue of Sayram Lake intertwines with the green of the Guozigou Pass to form a picturesque scene. In June 2026, the northern section of the Duku Highway is fully open to traffic, and the Yizhao Highway also opens with restricted access, connecting a classic loop route of ‘lake scenery, mountain views, flower fields, and grasslands’ for travelers. This article provides practical references for travelers planning to visit Ili from dimensions such as the actual flowering situation, itinerary design, and cost composition.Day 7:Qiongkushatai → Nalati Grassland
Morning:Drive to Nalati, enjoying the scenery of the Gongnaisi River Valley along the way.
Afternoon:Tour the Nalati River Valley Grassland, with key stops at the Nomadic Family Station, and follow the right path to find naturally growing flower meadows.
Accommodation:Characteristic homestay in Nalati Town.
Day 8:Nalati → Northern Section of Duku Highway → Yining → Urumqi
Morning:If time permits, choose the Nalati Sky Grassland route (additional shuttle bus ticket required).
Noon:Traverse the northern section of the Duku Highway, passing by the Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery and the Hashilegen Daban, experiencing ‘four seasons in one day.’
Evening:Return to Yining and take a late flight or night train back.
💰 Cost Explanation:Transparent Composition, No Hidden Fees
The cost of group tours to Ili in 2026 varies greatly depending on the itinerary duration, accommodation standards, and vehicle specifications. Below is the reference range for an 8-day loop (specifics subject to actual consultation and contracting):
Basic No-Consumption Itinerary Group:3800-4500 RMB per person

🌸 Actual Flowering Situation: Huocheng Lavender’s ‘Golden Fifteen Days’Includes:6 nights in comfortable hotels (Ctrip 2-3 diamonds), regular tourist bus, first admission tickets + shuttle buses for core attractions, 6 breakfasts + 3 main meals, guide services, insurance.
Comfortable No-Consumption Itinerary Group:5200-6200 RMB per person
Upgrades:4-diamond hotels (some upgraded to homestays inside the scenic area), 2+1 land first-class bus, 5 special main meals (meal standard 50-60 RMB), complimentary Sayram Lake afternoon tea or ethnic costume travel photoshoot.
High-End Customized Group:7000-8500 RMB per person
Upgrades:5-diamond hotels + 1 night in a Sayram Lake RV, 7-seat business vehicle, all meals included (meal standard 80-100 RMB), one-on-one service from a high-quality guide, drone aerial photography, horseback riding experience on the Xiata Ancient Road.
❗ Cost Exclusions:
Round-trip transportation to Urumqi (flight/train);
Personal expenses (voluntary items such as horseback riding, travel photoshoots);
(Single registrants will do their best to coordinate room sharing, special circumstances require negotiation);
Secondary consumption inside some scenic areas (such as the shuttle bus for Nalati Sky Grassland).

According to monitoring by the Ili Cultural and Tourism Department and local farms, the prime viewing period for Huocheng lavender in 2026 is from June 15 to June 30. During this time, the first crop of flower spikes reaches a height of 50-60 centimeters, with a deep purple color and strong fragrance, making it an excellent period for photography and experiences. Note:📝 Registration Method and Service Guarantees
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency, and Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing will provide you with detailed itinerary consultation and contract signing services.
Service Commitments:
Transparent Contracting:Cost details are written into the contract, with no hidden fees or temporary price increases;
Flexible Changes:In case of extreme weather or road closures, both parties can agree to replace attractions of the same level;
Emergency Support:The travel agency pays the full amount of the tourism quality deposit and provides a 24-hour emergency contact person.
💡 Travel Tips:
Dressing Rule:Ili has large temperature differences between day and night, so it is recommended to adopt an ‘onion-style dressing’—short sleeves + thin hoodie + windproof jacket (a windbreaker is needed at Sayram Lake due to strong winds);
Sun Protection Recommendations:The plateau has strong UV rays, so bring SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat;
Respect Customs:When entering local people’s yurts, remove your shoes, do not step on the stove fire or photograph elderly people and children without permission;
Environmentally Friendly Travel:Do not trample on the lavender fields, carry a garbage bag with you, and protect the fragile ecology.
Ili in June is a poem woven from nature and humanity. From the purple romance of Huocheng to the green rhapsody of Nalati, from the tranquil glaciers of Xiata to the journey through the Duku Highway, every scene is worth savoring. Choose a compliant travel agency, sign a transparent contract, and let this trip become a shining fragment in your memories.

Contact Manager Wang Fei at 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation.