Yili 8 Day Private Car Free Travel Complete Guide Nalati Kalajun Route

Xinjiang travel customized car service for comfortable trips, professional fleet with fully customizable itineraries. Consultation hotline (landline): 0991-8866234. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, customized travel consultant Manager Zhang Jing, phone: 181-3962-2233 (copy to add as friend for detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel routes and prices)
8-Day In-Depth Exploration of Ili:The Grassland Symphony of Nalati and Kalajun🌿
I. Core Route Highlights: A Visual Feast of Grasslands, Lakes, and Highways
This 8-day customized car free-travel route through the Ili River Valley starts from Yining, connecting core attractions such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Kalajun Grassland, and the Duku Highway, forming a closed loop with “no backtracking.” What makes this route unique:
Daily driving time is controlled to 3-4 hours to avoid fatigue from long-distance driving;
Covers four major landscape types — “grassland + lake + snow mountain + canyon” — offering rich visual layers;
In 2026, the opening period of the northern section of the Duku Highway is extended to October 10, increasing autumn travel opportunities;
Customized car service offers high flexibility, allowing stops at lesser-known photo spots anytime, such as the Guozigou cliff viewpoint and the autumn-colored area of Nalati Panlong Valley.
II. Simplified Itinerary (2026 Autumn Reference Version)
【Day 1:Yining Assembly · First Experience of Kazanqi Folk Customs】
Morning:Arrive in Yining, free time;
Afternoon:Visit Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, ride a horse-drawn carriage through the blue streets, and taste handmade ice cream;

8-Day In-Depth Exploration of Ili: The Grassland Symphony of Nalati and Kalajun🌿Evening:Head to the Ili River scenic belt to capture sunset light and shadows;
Overnight:Four-star hotel in downtown Yining (reference price: 400-600 RMB/room, subject to contract).
【Day 2:Sayram Lake Circumnavigation · Guozigou Bridge】
Morning:Take customized car to Sayram Lake (about 2 hours’ drive), self-drive around the lake for about 90 km, key stops:
Dianjiangtai (Command Platform):Overlook the lake surface and distant snow mountains;
Songshutou (Pine Tree Head):Climb high to photograph the panoramic view of Guozigou Bridge;
Afternoon:Cross the Guozigou Bridge, stopping at the cliff viewpoint along the way;
Overnight:Boutique hotel near Sayram Lake Scenic Area (reference price: 600-800 RMB/room, subject to contract).
【Day 3:Yizhao Highway · Zhaosu Grassland】
Morning:Drive along the Yizhao Highway (S237), passing viewpoints such as Baishi Peak and Wild Wolf Valley;
Afternoon:Arrive in Zhaosu County, visit the Zhaosu Heavenly Horse Cultural Park and watch horse performances;

I. Core Route Highlights: A Visual Feast of Grasslands, Lakes, and HighwaysOvernight:Three-star hotel in Zhaosu County (reference price: 300-500 RMB/room, subject to contract).
【Day 4:Shata Ancient Road · Muzart Glacier】
Morning:Head to the Shata Ancient Road Scenic Area, take the shuttle bus deep in, then hike to the Flower Terrace;
Afternoon:View the Muzart Glacier up close and photograph the landscape where snow mountains blend with forests;
Overnight:Four-star hotel in Tekes County (reference price: 500-700 RMB/room, subject to contract).
【Day 5:Kalajun Grassland · Human Body Grassland】
Morning:Visit the eastern area of Kalajun Grassland, focusing on photographing the “Human Body Grassland” contours;
Afternoon:Take the cable car to Kuokesu Grand Canyon, visiting Crocodile Bay and the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns;
Overnight:Same as above in Tekes County.
【Day 6:Nalati Sky Grassland · Panlong Valley】
Morning:Head to Nalati Grassland, self-drive into the Sky Grassland route, key stops:

The 8-day customized car free-travel route through the Ili River Valley starts from Yining, connecting core attractions such as Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Kalajun Grassland, and the Duku Highway, forming a closed loop with “no backtracking.” What makes this route unique:Internet-famous Bridge:Queue up to capture the scene of grassland and stream in the same frame;
Xuelian Valley:Ride a horse to the foot of the snow mountain (cost about 200 RMB/person);
Afternoon:Explore Panlong Valley Road, photographing the autumn larch forest;
Overnight:Four-star hotel in Nalati Town (reference price: 600-900 RMB/room, subject to contract).
【Day 7:Northern Section of Duku Highway · Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery】
Morning:Drive along the northern section of the Duku Highway, passing Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery and Hashilegen Daban;
Afternoon:Turn into the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery, visiting Fairy Lake and Little Huashan for free;

Traveling across northern and southern Xinjiang with ease — professional customized car free-travel services. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency hotline (landline): 0991-8866234, dedicated customer service manager Zhang Jing, phone: 181-3962-2233 (WeChat same number, addable)
Overnight:Four-star hotel in Kuytun City (reference price: 400-600 RMB/room, subject to contract).
【Day 8:Departure from Kuytun · Drop-off Service】
Morning:Free time or make up for missed photo opportunities;
Afternoon:Drop-off according to flight/train schedule.

Daily driving time is controlled to 3-4 hours to avoid fatigue from long-distance driving;III. Price Description (2026 Autumn Reference)
【Customized Car Fees】
7-seat business van (e.g., Buick GL8):1500-1800 RMB/day (these quotes are reference vehicle prices only; actual vehicle price is subject to customer service quotation!), including vehicle usage fee, fuel, road and bridge tolls, and driver labor fee;
19-seat medium bus:2000-2500 RMB/day (these quotes are reference vehicle prices only; actual vehicle price is subject to customer service quotation!), suitable for groups of 6-12 people;
55-seat coach:3500-4000 RMB/day (these quotes are reference vehicle prices only; actual vehicle price is subject to customer service quotation!), suitable for large groups;
Driver meal and accommodation allowance:150-200 RMB/day (shared among 4 people, about 50 RMB/person/day).
【Ticket Fees】
Sayram Lake:Ticket + lake shuttle bus 145 RMB/person;
Shata Ancient Road:Ticket + shuttle bus 80 RMB/person;
Kalajun Grassland:Full east-west area ticket + sightseeing bus 140 RMB/person;
Nalati Grassland:Dual grassland ticket + shuttle bus 155 RMB/person;

Covers four major landscape types — “grassland + lake + snow mountain + canyon” — offering rich visual layers;Duku Highway:Free (reservation required 1-7 days in advance, limited to 3,000 vehicles per day).
【Accommodation Fees】
Reference range for 7 nights throughout the trip:3000-5000 RMB/person (based on 4 people sharing a room, subject to contract).
IV. How to Register
You can register through the customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency by providing your name, contact information, and travel dates to complete pre-registration.
V. Fee and Service Description
Fees include:Customized car fees, driver meal and accommodation allowance, ticket fees, accommodation fees (room sharing by default; single travelers need to negotiate a room supplement);
Fees do not include:Meals (100-150 RMB/person/day), personal expenses, insurance fees (recommended to purchase on your own);
Service description:
Vehicles ranging from 7-seat to 55-seat available; all drivers are licensed and familiar with Ili road conditions;
Reasonable itinerary changes can be made upon mutual agreement (if the Duku Highway is under traffic control, a detour via S316 Provincial Road will be taken);

In 2026, the opening period of the northern section of the Duku Highway is extended to October 10, increasing autumn travel opportunities; specific details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
VI. Pre-Trip Recommended Checklist
Documents:Valid ID, permits (required for Zhaosu Shata Scenic Area; can be arranged through the travel agency);
Clothing:Softshell jacket, fleece jacket, sun-protective clothing, hiking shoes;
Protection:SPF50+ sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, rain gear;
Electronics:Camera, power bank, car charger;
Others:Insulated water bottle, common medications (e.g., motion sickness pills, cold medicine).
VII. Important Notes
The Duku Highway is recommended for vehicles with 7 seats or fewer, open daily from 8:00-19:00, and requires advance reservation;
The Yizhao Highway has restricted hours from 9:00-21:00 with strict section speed enforcement;
In autumn (September-October), some grassland grass turns yellow, but the scenery of snow-capped peaks and golden leaves along the Duku Highway is worth looking forward to;
Scenic area ticket policies may change; please refer to the latest information provided by Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
The grasslands of Ili are poetry written by wind and light, a dialogue between mountains and water. With an 8-day customized car free-travel trip, let professional drivers take you through the seasons, encountering surprises at every turn.
For Xinjiang travel, choose Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Customized car travel is worry-free and reliable. Landline: 0991-8866234. Customer service manager Zhang Jing, phone: 181-3962-2233