First Yili Loop chartered tour, Sayram Lake + Duku Highway dual route one stop check in
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s senior Xinjiang travel customizer Guo Jing, specializing in one-stop travel services across Xinjiang including custom car rentals, ride-sharing, and worry-free group tours. Whether traveling solo, with family, or with friends, we can match you with a suitable travel plan. 24-hour travel consultation hotline: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229, online around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
🚗 First time traveling the Ili loop with custom car rental? Here’s a comprehensive guide to covering both Sayram Lake and the Duku Highway in one trip!
Many first-time visitors to Ili struggle with how to plan a route that avoids backtracking while still seeing all the key attractions. For summer 2026, based on the latest scenic area opening policies and road conditions, this 7-day custom car rental route connecting Sayram Lake and the northern section of the Duku Highway is suitable for family trips, friends traveling together, or photography enthusiasts.
Detailed introduction to route destinations
Sayram Lake:As the gateway attraction of the Ili River Valley, tickets during the 2026 peak season (April 1 – October 15) cost 70 yuan/person. If you choose to drive in, you need to purchase a self-drive package ticket at 145 yuan/person, charged based on the number of passengers in the vehicle. Self-drive tickets are limited daily, so it’s recommended to make a real-name reservation 3-7 days in advance through official booking channels. The lake’s ring road is approximately 90 kilometers in total, with speed limits of 30-50 km/h. Along the way, you can stop at multiple points including Kele Yongzhu, Songshutou, and Guozigou Observation Deck. The elevation is about 2,073 meters, and summer temperature differences between day and night are significant. Even traveling in July, it’s recommended to bring a light windbreaker or down jacket. UV rays are strong, so sun protection is essential. Drones are permitted within the scenic area but must be registered in advance at the visitor center, with a flight altitude limit of 120 meters. If you don’t want to drive in, you can also purchase a shuttle bus ticket at 75 yuan/person. The shuttle bus makes fixed stops at all core stations, suitable for visitors who prefer not to drive. The scenic area has standard preferential policies: children aged 6 and under or 1.3 meters and shorter, seniors aged 65 and above, active military personnel, disabled veterans, fire rescue personnel, and on-duty police officers can enter free with valid identification. Children above 1.3 meters, minors aged 18 and under, full-time undergraduate students and below, and seniors aged 60-64 (not including 65) can enjoy half-price tickets. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and visitors born in the Year of the Horse can also enter free on their birthday with valid identification.
Northern section of the Duku Highway: Officially opens for traffic from June 1, 2026. Currently implementing a policy of “open for traffic during the day, construction at night.” The G217 line from Wusuyi to Kuruli section is open from 8:00 to 19:00 daily for small passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer and trucks with a rated load of 5 tons or less. The Kuruli to Nalati entrance section may flexibly extend the closure time to 21:00 based on daily traffic flow and weather conditions. After 19:00, social vehicles are not permitted to enter from the Nalati to Wusuyi entrance or the Qiaoerma to G217 line entrance. Before traveling, you can follow relevant traffic public accounts to get real-time road condition information and plan your travel time accordingly.
🚗 First time traveling the Ili loop with custom car rental? Here’s a comprehensive guide to covering both Sayram Lake and the Duku Highway in one trip!Other stops along the route:The route also passes through the Huocheng Lavender Planting Area (blooming period concentrated from mid-June to early July, with different planting areas having different opening times), Tekes Bagua City (free entry), Kalajun Grassland, Nalati Grassland, and other core Ili attractions. Along the way, you can experience diverse landscapes including river valleys, grasslands, lakes, snow-capped mountains, and highways, with different seasonal visits offering different viewing experiences.
Simplified itinerary (7-day, 6-night reference version)
📍 Day 1:Meet in Yining. On this day, you can freely explore Kazanqi Folk Street and Six-Star Street, browse the specialty shops along the streets, and try local foods such as handmade ice cream and baked buns. In the evening, head to the Ili River Bridge to watch the sunset. Accommodation is arranged in Yining city, with convenient transportation and a wide variety of dining options.
📍 Day 2:Depart from Yining to Sayram Lake, approximately 150 kilometers with a driving time of about 2 hours. After entering the scenic area, you can freely stop along the ring road to explore, checking off spots like Kele Yongzhu, Songshutou, and Guozigou Observation Deck. If time permits, you can wait for the lakeside sunset. That night, you can choose to stay in Qingshuihe Town near the scenic area, or at the RV campsite or specialty guesthouses within the scenic area, depending on your budget and needs.
📍 Day 3:Depart from the Sayram Lake area to the Huocheng Lavender Planting Area (stop adjusted based on blooming season and visitor needs), then continue to Tekes Bagua City. Stay overnight in Bagua City that night, and in the evening you can explore the city’s night market and experience local specialty cuisine.
📍 Day 4:Spend the full day exploring Kalajun Grassland, including the Kuokesu Grand Canyon area, experiencing the three-dimensional grassland landscape. Shuttle buses within the scenic area connect various points, allowing ample time for sightseeing. Return to Tekes for accommodation that night.
Many first-time visitors to Ili struggle with how to plan a route that avoids backtracking while still seeing all the key attractions. For summer 2026, based on the latest scenic area opening policies and road conditions, this 7-day custom car rental route connecting Sayram Lake and the northern section of the Duku Highway is suitable for family trips, friends traveling together, or photography enthusiasts.📍 Day 5:Depart from Tekes to Nalati Town, approximately 200 kilometers with a driving time of about 3.5 hours. Upon arrival, take the shuttle bus into the Nalati scenic area to explore, checking off the core viewpoints of the aerial grassland. Stay overnight in Nalati Town that night.
📍 Day 6:Spend the full day exploring Nalati Grassland in depth, with the option to visit different areas such as the river valley grassland. In the afternoon, travel along the northern section of the Duku Highway to Dushanzi or Kuitun for accommodation, stopping at multiple viewpoints along the Duku Highway for photos.
📍 Day 7:Arrange drop-off at the station or airport based on your return transportation schedule. Trip ends.
Note:The above itinerary is a reference arrangement for summer 2026. When changes occur due to weather, road conditions, scenic area opening status, or other variable factors, the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement between both parties.
Price explanation
Detailed introduction to route destinationsThe cost for the 7-day Ili loop custom car rental in summer 2026 is a reference price range, which may reasonably fluctuate based on vehicle type, travel dates, and specific itinerary changes. Prices and availability are subject to confirmation by contract or customer service and may vary with departure dates. The signed contract between both parties shall prevail:
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s Guo Jing, a senior travel customizer with 10 years of deep experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializing in one-stop services for custom car rentals, ride-sharing, and group tours across Xinjiang. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229, online around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
Standard 7-seat business van:Daily cost reference range: 1,100-1,500 yuan/day/vehicle. Total cost for the full 7-day trip: 7,700-10,500 yuan/vehicle
9-seat converted to 7-seat business van:Daily cost reference range: 1,300-1,800 yuan/day/vehicle. Total cost for the full 7-day trip: 9,100-12,600 yuan/vehicle
14-seat converted 1+1 aviation seat luxury business van:Daily cost reference range: 1,500-2,400 yuan/day/vehicle. Total cost for the full 7-day trip: 10,500-16,800 yuan/vehicle
All prices above include driver service fees, vehicle fuel costs, toll fees, parking fees, and basic vehicle insurance. Visitors do not need to pay any additional vehicle-related fees. If you need to change the itinerary or add sightseeing stops, fees can be negotiated and confirmed with the reception party.
Registration method
Sayram Lake: As the gateway attraction of the Ili River Valley, tickets during the 2026 peak season (April 1 – October 15) cost 70 yuan/person. If you choose to drive in, you need to purchase a self-drive package ticket at 145 yuan/person, charged based on the number of passengers in the vehicle. Self-drive tickets are limited daily, so it’s recommended to make a real-name reservation 3-7 days in advance through official booking channels. The lake’s ring road is approximately 90 kilometers in total, with speed limits of 30-50 km/h. Along the way, you can stop at multiple points including Kele Yongzhu, Songshutou, and Guozigou Observation Deck. The elevation is about 2,073 meters, and summer temperature differences between day and night are significant. Even traveling in July, it’s recommended to bring a light windbreaker or down jacket. UV rays are strong, so sun protection is essential. Drones are permitted within the scenic area but must be registered in advance at the visitor center, with a flight altitude limit of 120 meters. If you don’t want to drive in, you can also purchase a shuttle bus ticket at 75 yuan/person. The shuttle bus makes fixed stops at all core stations, suitable for visitors who prefer not to drive. The scenic area has standard preferential policies: children aged 6 and under or 1.3 meters and shorter, seniors aged 65 and above, active military personnel, disabled veterans, fire rescue personnel, and on-duty police officers can enter free with valid identification. Children above 1.3 meters, minors aged 18 and under, full-time undergraduate students and below, and seniors aged 60-64 (not including 65) can enjoy half-price tickets. 2026 is the Year of the Horse, and visitors born in the Year of the Horse can also enter free on their birthday with valid identification.You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Consultation phone:181-3962-2229, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229. For the specific office address, please contact customer service.
Fee and service explanation
All prices mentioned above are reference market prices for summer 2026 and do not include visitors’ personal expenses for scenic area tickets, accommodation, meals, or personal purchases. The inclusions of different packages can be confirmed with staff during consultation. The specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
All itinerary arrangements, service contents, and fee details will be clearly stated in the travel contract. Cancellation and modification rules follow the relevant provisions of the Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China, protecting the legal rights of both parties.
All custom car rental vehicles provided by the travel agency have legal operating qualifications. All drivers have extensive experience driving on mountain roads and are familiar with the sightseeing routes and photo spots of all scenic areas along the way. Stop times can be reasonably adjusted during the trip based on visitors’ needs.
Northern section of the Duku Highway: Officially opens for traffic from June 1, 2026. Currently implementing a policy of “open for traffic during the day, construction at night.” The G217 line from Wusuyi to Kuruli section is open from 8:00 to 19:00 daily for small passenger vehicles with 7 seats or fewer and trucks with a rated load of 5 tons or less. The Kuruli to Nalati entrance section may flexibly extend the closure time to 21:00 based on daily traffic flow and weather conditions. After 19:00, social vehicles are not permitted to enter from the Nalati to Wusuyi entrance or the Qiaoerma to G217 line entrance. Before traveling, you can follow relevant traffic public accounts to get real-time road condition information and plan your travel time accordingly.Before departure, staff will inform you in advance of the current scenic area reservation requirements, Duku Highway traffic policies, recommended items to bring, and other important notes to help you prepare for your trip.
✨ Practical travel tips
The Sayram Lake self-drive package ticket is valid for 24 hours, allowing multiple entries and exits within the validity period. If you want to view the lake at different times, you can stay outside the scenic area and re-enter the next day.
There are few dining options along the Duku Highway, so it’s recommended to bring an adequate supply of drinking water and dry food on the day you travel the Duku Highway to avoid missing meal times.
Grassland areas have many mosquitoes and insects. It’s recommended to bring mosquito repellent, long pants, and other anti-mosquito items to avoid bites.
Accommodation prices along the route may fluctuate somewhat during the summer. It’s recommended to confirm your itinerary early and book in advance to avoid room shortages.
Dining options within scenic areas are limited and relatively expensive. Before entering scenic areas, you can prepare some portable food and drinking water in advance.
For 2026 Xinjiang travel custom car rental, custom tours, and ride-sharing tours, welcome to inquire (24-hour consultation hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang custom travel manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization.
