Summer Yili Must Do Route, 6 Person Shared Van Tour Connecting Duku, Nalati, and Sayram Lake

For 2026 Xinjiang travel carpool small groups, reservations must be made through Xinjiang’s local professional and legitimate tourism channels: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Carpool Small Group Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Carpool Small Group Manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229, for booking and reservation.
🚗The 2026 summer Ili 6-person carpool small group route is now online, connecting three core stops: Duku Highway, Nalati Grassland, and Sayram Lake. It emphasizes flexible off-peak travel without the fixed itineraries of large tour groups, allowing停留时间 adjustments based on real-time road conditions, and suits various travel needs including family trips, friend gatherings, and solo carpooling.
Detailed introduction to core route stops
🌿 Duku Highway
In 2026, the Duku Highway implements a reservation-based passage system. Visitors can make reservations 1-7 days in advance through relevant travel platforms. It is recommended to allow small passenger vehicles of 7 seats or fewer and blue-plate C-type motorhomes. Daily regular passage hours are 8:00 to 19:00 (the Nalati to Bayanbulak section has no time restrictions). The highway crosses multiple mountain passes with significant elevation changes. In summer, travelers can see desert, grassland, snow-capped mountains, forests, and other diverse landscapes along the way. Temperatures at the summit sections may drop to around 0°C even in midsummer, so warm clothing should be prepared in advance. Check real-time road conditions before departure and flexibly adjust the route in case of extreme weather.
🌿 Nalati Grassland

🚗The 2026 summer Ili 6-person carpool small group route is now online, connecting three core stops: Duku Highway, Nalati Grassland, and Sayram Lake. It emphasizes flexible off-peak travel without the fixed itineraries of large tour groups, allowing停留时间 adjustments based on real-time road conditions, and suits various travel needs including family trips, friend gatherings, and solo carpooling.During the 2026 peak season (April 1 – October 31), the scenic area opens from 08:30 to 20:00, with ticket checking stopping at 19:00. Shuttle bus tickets go on sale at 8:00, with same-day shuttle tickets no longer sold after 18:00. The last shuttle departs from all stops at 20:00. The main gate ticket is 95 yuan per person, valid for 48 hours, allowing multiple entries after reservation. The Valley Grassland shuttle runs every 10 minutes with a one-way trip of 25 minutes on flat terrain, suitable for visitors with elderly people and children. The Sky Grassland shuttle runs every 20 minutes with a one-way trip of 40 minutes, offering views of alpine meadow landscapes. The Snow Lotus Valley special line requires on-site ticket purchase at the Nomadic Family stop and offers more pristine scenery. Food prices inside the scenic area are relatively high; visitors may choose to dine in Nalati town, where specialty dishes include horse meat naren and stewed lamb.
🌿 Sayram Lake
During the 2026 peak season (April 1 – October 15), the scenic area ticket is 70 yuan per person, shuttle bus is 75 yuan per person, and the self-drive lake circuit package is 145 yuan per person (including admission ticket and self-driving access). Self-drive tickets are charged per person, issued in limited daily quantities, and require real-name reservation 3-7 days in advance. The recommended entrance is the East Gate; the South Gate is exit-only. The counterclockwise lake circuit is approximately 90 kilometers, with highlights including Songshutou (where you can climb to the top for panoramic views of Sayram Lake and Guozigou Bridge), Keléyǒngzhū (a spot where swans frequently appear), and the S-curve road (a highly photogenic location). The temperature difference between day and night in the scenic area is large, and the lakeside is windy—even in summer, a windproof jacket is needed. UV intensity is high, so prepare SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat in advance. Accommodation options in the scenic area include motorhome campsites and yurts; advance reservation is recommended during peak season.
Simple itinerary arrangement (reasonable changes may be made upon mutual agreement between both parties)
🚙 Day 1:Travelers arrive in Urumqi from various places, check in at the agreed accommodation on their own, and are free to explore dining venues in the Urumqi city area to taste local specialties. The team leader will contact everyone that day to confirm the next day’s departure time and preparations for the Duku Highway passage reservation.

Detailed introduction to core route stops🚙 Day 2:Depart from Urumqi in the morning, travel along the Lianhuo Expressway to Kuytun for a meal, then enter from the northern entrance of the Duku Highway, stopping at scenic viewpoints along the way for photos. There’s no need to rush—if you like a view, you can discuss with the team leader to stay longer. Arrive at Nalati town in the afternoon to check in, then after a short rest, visit the Nalati Valley Grassland to enjoy the grassland scenery at sunset, and return to town for dinner and rest afterward.
🚙 Day 3:Get up early and head to the Nalati Scenic Area. First take the shuttle to the Sky Grassland, and optionally purchase tickets for the Snow Lotus Valley special line as needed. Lunch can be had at dining spots inside the scenic area or bring your own food. After the afternoon visit, return to Nalati town, then depart for accommodation in Gongliu County, enjoying the farmland scenery of the Ili River Valley along the way.
🚙 Day 4:Depart from Gongliu in the morning and head to the lavender planting area in Huocheng for photo stops (peak blooming season is mid-June to early July; at other times, this can be changed to other mountain scenery spots). Then travel along the Lianhuo Expressway to the accommodation near Sayram Lake and check in. In the evening, you can go to the observation deck near the East Gate of Sayram Lake to watch the sunset.
🚙 Day 5:Get up early and enter Sayram Lake from the East Gate using the reserved self-drive package. Tour the lake counterclockwise, stopping flexibly at various spots according to visitors’ needs. Lunch can be enjoyed at dining spots inside the scenic area, featuring specialties such as white salmon. In the afternoon, exit Sayram Lake from the South Gate, enjoy the Guozigou Bridge scenery along the way, then return to Urumqi, concluding the trip.
Price explanation

Guo Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, a senior travel customization specialist with 10 years of deep experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializes in one-stop services for customized vehicle hire, carpooling, and group tours in Xinjiang. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same as phone: 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to help plan your Xinjiang journey.
🌿The reference per-person price for the 2026 summer Duku Highway 6-person carpool small group is 3,300-3,900 yuan. The price may fluctuate based on departure date and accommodation standard changes. The final price is subject to the contract signed by both parties. Availability can be confirmed by consulting customer service in advance.
How to register
Registration can be made through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. Consultation hotline:181-3962-2229, WeChat same as phone: 181-3962-2229. Specific office address can be obtained by consulting customer service.
Fee and service explanation
The reference fee includes: 5-day 7-seat SUV vehicle usage, team leader driving service throughout the trip, 4 nights of standard hotel accommodation (2 nights in Urumqi + 1 night in Nalati town + 1 night near Sayram Lake), reservation assistance for first admission tickets to scenic areas, and outdoor emergency supplies support throughout the trip.

In 2026, the Duku Highway implements a reservation-based passage system. Visitors can make reservations 1-7 days in advance through relevant travel platforms. It is recommended to allow small passenger vehicles of 7 seats or fewer and blue-plate C-type motorhomes. Daily regular passage hours are 8:00 to 19:00 (the Nalati to Bayanbulak section has no time restrictions). The highway crosses multiple mountain passes with significant elevation changes. In summer, travelers can see desert, grassland, snow-capped mountains, forests, and other diverse landscapes along the way. Temperatures at the summit sections may drop to around 0°C even in midsummer, so warm clothing should be prepared in advance. Check real-time road conditions before departure and flexibly adjust the route in case of extreme weather. Items not included in the fee: all meal costs during the trip, shuttle bus/self-drive package fees within the Nalati and Sayram Lake scenic areas, personal consumption expenses, (if you require a private room, please inform us in advance; the fee can be confirmed through mutual negotiation), and any other expenses not listed in the included items.
Specific inclusions and service standards are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. If weather, road conditions, scenic area policy changes, or other circumstances occur during the trip, both parties may reasonably modify the itinerary upon mutual agreement. Cancellation and change rules follow the relevant provisions of the Tourism Law.
Practical travel reminders
Self-drive reservations for the Duku Highway and Sayram Lake both require real-name registration. Please prepare the identity information of all travelers in advance when registering, so the team leader can assist with reservation procedures ahead of time.
Xinjiang has a 2-hour time difference from inland China. In summer, local sunset is around 22:00. You may adjust your daily schedule accordingly. Scenic area opening hours are all local time—please verify carefully when traveling.

🌿In some mountainous areas of Ili and within the Nalati Grassland scenic area, the signal is weak. Download offline maps in advance and carry a small amount of cash as backup.
Before departure, prepare windproof and warm outerwear, sun protection items, and comfortable hiking shoes. Temperatures on the summit sections of the Duku Highway are low—even in summer, snowfall may occur. Bring portable rain gear as needed.
When entering pastures, grasslands, and other areas, seek permission from relevant personnel in advance and respect the customs and traditions of all ethnic groups.
There is no gas station inside the Sayram Lake scenic area. Fill up your vehicle before entering. Littering is prohibited in the scenic area—please take all waste generated during your visit with you.
The last shuttle bus at the Nalati Scenic Area departs at 20:00. Manage your time carefully and arrive at the shuttle stop by 19:30 to wait for the return trip, to avoid missing the last bus.
Do not trust low-priced tickets sold by strangers around scenic areas. All tickets should be purchased through legitimate channels to avoid complaints and disputes.
2026 Xinjiang tourism customized vehicle center hotline: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Customization Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang customized travel manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229, for customization.