Altay Chartered Car 10 Day Self Drive Tour with Pure Fun No Extra Expenses High Cost Performance Chartered Car Service Recommendation Recommended Route Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
10-Day In-Depth Tour of Altay:Unlock the Secret Realms of Northern Xinjiang with a Custom Vehicle Itinerary Free of Consumption 🚗✨
I. Core Highlights of the Itinerary: Why Choose Altay?
Located in northern Xinjiang, the Altay region is renowned for its three-dimensional landscape of snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes, and grasslands. By 2026, it will have become a popular destination for travel in northern Xinjiang, thanks to its three major IPs: the “Legend of the Kanas Lake Monster,” the “Millennium-Old Tuva Village,” and the “Geological Wonders of Koktokay.” Compared to traditional group tours, a custom vehicle self-guided tour offers greater flexibility in pacing, allowing deeper exploration of off-the-beaten-path attractions, making it especially suitable for family trips, photography enthusiasts, and travelers seeking in-depth experiences.
[Three Popular Reasons to Choose This Tour]
Natural Wonders:The color-changing waters of Kanas Lake, the morning mist-shrouded wooden houses of Hemu Village, and the Zhongshan Peak in Koktokay form the “Three Wonders of Northern Xinjiang.”
Cultural Experiences:Visit Tuva wooden houses, listen to performances of the “Suor,” an intangible cultural heritage instrument, and participate in making奶疙瘩 (dried curd) with local people of various ethnic groups.
Seasonal Highlights:Escape the heat and enjoy flowers from June to August, witness the autumn foliage from September to October, and experience a winter wonderland from December to February—there’s something to enjoy in every season.
II. 10-Day Itinerary Plan: Daily Highlights and Practical Information
[Itinerary Design Principles]
Daily driving time is limited to 3 hours to avoid fatigue.
Sufficient time is allocated at core attractions for photography and experiences.
Accommodations include wooden houses within scenic areas, county hotels, and characteristic homestays to meet diverse needs.
[Detailed Itinerary]
Day 1:Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Burqin
10-Day In-Depth Tour of Altay: Unlock the Secret Realms of Northern Xinjiang with a Custom Vehicle Itinerary Free of Consumption 🚗✨Morning:Arrive at Altay Xuedu Airport on an early flight and take a custom vehicle to Burqin (approximately 4 hours’ drive). Travel along the S21 Desert Highway through the Gobi Desert, stopping at viewpoints to photograph the desert scenery.
Afternoon:Arrive in Burqin and check into a hotel near the Russian-style street. In the evening, stroll along the Sino-Russian Old Wharf风情街 (Fengqing Street) and savor a cold-water fish feast.
Key Tips:There are two daily shuttle buses from Burqin to the Kanas Scenic Area (9:00 AM/2:30 PM), but a custom vehicle allows for departure at any time, saving time.
Day 2:Burqin → Kanas Scenic Area
Morning:Drive for 3 hours to reach the Kanas Scenic Area and transfer to a shuttle bus to visit Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay. The guide will assist in securing excellent photo opportunities.
Afternoon:Climb the Guanyu Platform (1,068 steps) for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake. In summer, wildflowers blanket the mountainside, while in autumn, the forests are ablaze with color.
Accommodation:Stay in a wooden house inn within the scenic area, offering views of the forest sea and convenient access for morning mist viewing the next day.
Day 3:Kanas → Baihaba Village
Morning:Obtain a border pass (with valid identification at the scenic area’s transfer center) and take a 1-hour ride to “China’s Northwesternmost Village,” Baihaba, to visit filming locations from “My Altay.”
Afternoon:Stroll through the village, experience Tuva life, and visit the Centennial Old House Museum.
Key Tips:Baihaba is a border area, so drones must be registered at the police station with a flight altitude limit of 120 meters.
Day 4:Kanas → Hemu Village
Morning:Drive for 1.5 hours to reach Hemu Village. After checking in, stroll along the Hemu River and visit the Hemu Bridge.
Afternoon:Free time for activities such as hiking the surrounding meadows and encountering herds of cattle and sheep.
Accommodation:Choose a wooden house inn with floor heating, as nighttime temperatures in the mountainous area are low, making warmth essential.
I. Core Highlights of the Itinerary: Why Choose Altay?Day 5:In-Depth Tour of Hemu Village
Early Morning:Ascend the Hadeng Viewing Platform to photograph the panoramic view of Hemu’s morning mist and wooden houses.
Morning:Visit Tuva wooden houses, experience making奶疙瘩 (dried curd), and listen to Suor performances.
Afternoon:Free time to rest or hike around the village to experience the pristine natural atmosphere.
Food Recommendations:Hemu’s local cuisine features original ecological ingredients, such as narin (lamb noodles) and baorsak (fried dough).
Day 6:Hemu → Colorful Beach → Burqin
Morning:Drive for 2.5 hours to reach Colorful Beach, allocating 1.5 hours for touring. At sunset (around 9:00 PM), the rocks display five colors: red, yellow, cyan, green, and black.
Afternoon:Return to Burqin, check into a hotel, and explore the night market to sample grilled lamb skewers and yogurt zongzi.
Photography Tips:The best viewing angle for Colorful Beach is at the third viewing platform on the west side of the scenic area, where color saturation is highest when the light’s angle of incidence is about 25 degrees.
Day 7:Burqin → Koktokay National Geological Park
Morning:Drive for 4 hours to reach Koktokay and tour the No. 3 Mine (the “Meritorious Mine” of the Republic), exploring underground mines.
Afternoon:Stroll through the Irtysh Grand Canyon, visit Zhongshan Peak, and hike upstream along the river to search for moss fossils.
Accommodation:Stay in a hotel in Koktokay Town and savor Kazakh cuisine such as narin for dinner.
Day 8:Koktokay → Ulungur Lake
Morning:Drive for 3 hours to reach Ulungur Lake and tour the Golden Coast. In summer, experience a seaside resort atmosphere; in winter, participate in the Winter Fishing Festival.
Located in northern Xinjiang, the Altay region is renowned for its three-dimensional landscape of snow-capped mountains, forests, lakes, and grasslands. By 2026, it will have become a popular destination for travel in northern Xinjiang, thanks to its three major IPs: the “Legend of the Kanas Lake Monster,” the “Millennium-Old Tuva Village,” and the “Geological Wonders of Koktokay.” Compared to traditional group tours, a custom vehicle self-guided tour offers greater flexibility in pacing, allowing deeper exploration of off-the-beaten-path attractions, making it especially suitable for family trips, photography enthusiasts, and travelers seeking in-depth experiences.Afternoon:Visit the Seaside Ghost City to photograph the wonder where yardang landforms blend with the lake.
Key Tips:Ulungur Lake is surrounded by sand dunes, and in October, the reeds turn golden, providing excellent photography opportunities.
Day 9:Ulungur Lake → Altay City
Morning:Drive back to Altay City, visit the Kelan River滨河 (Binhe) Scenic Area, and stroll along the Russian Pedestrian Street in the evening.
Afternoon:Free time for activities such as purchasing dried grapes, almonds, and other characteristic souvenirs.
Accommodation:Hotels along Yingbin Road or Jiefang Road are recommended, as they are close to food streets and offer better sound insulation than scenic area wooden houses.
Day 10:Altay City → Departure
Morning:Depending on flight time, flexibly arrange visits to the Altay Planetarium or the Museum of Human Skiing’s Origin.
Afternoon:Take a custom vehicle to the airport to conclude the itinerary.
III. Pricing Information: Transparent Consumption, No Hidden Tricks
[Cost Breakdown] (Reference range, subject to contract)
Custom Vehicle Fees:
5-Seater Sedan:800-1,200 yuan/day (includes fuel, tolls, and driver service fees)
7-Seater Business Vehicle:1,000-1,500 yuan/day
[Three Popular Reasons to Choose This Tour]9-Seater Off-Road Vehicle:1,200-1,800 yuan/day
Admission Fees:
Kanas Scenic Area:Approximately 200 yuan/person for admission + shuttle bus ticket
Hemu Village:Approximately 50 yuan/person for admission
Koktokay:Approximately 120 yuan/person for admission
Colorful Beach:Approximately 45 yuan/person for admission
Accommodation Fees:
Wooden House Inns within Scenic Areas:300-600 yuan/night (book at least 1 month in advance during peak season)
Hotels in Burqin/Altay City:200-500 yuan/night
Meal Fees:
Approximately 100-150 yuan/person per day (includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
[Special Notes]
Xinjiang Explorers International Travel Agency offers a “one-price-includes-all-specified-items-in-itinerary” service, covering vehicle use, driver service, and basic insurance, with no additional charges such as fuel surcharges or driver overtime fees.
Prices may fluctuate based on travel dates and are subject to the contract signed by both parties.
IV. Registration Method: Professional Team, Full-Process Protection
Natural Wonders: The color-changing waters of Kanas Lake, the morning mist-shrouded wooden houses of Hemu Village, and the Zhongshan Peak in Koktokay form the “Three Wonders of Northern Xinjiang.”You can register through Xinjiang Explorers International Travel Agency. Customer service manager Zhang Jing will customize the itinerary based on your needs, providing 24-hour smart travel concierge services, rapid response to emergencies, and flexible negotiation for itinerary changes.
V. Fee and Service Explanations: Details Determine the Experience
[Service Commitments]
No Consumption Arrangements Throughout the Itinerary:Guide salaries are decoupled from consumption commissions, focusing solely on sightseeing and service.
Formal Qualifications:Holds a complete “Travel Agency Business Operation License,” verifiable through the National Tourism Regulatory Service Platform.
In-Depth Experiences:Secures core attraction tickets in advance and provides VIP fast-track entry to avoid peak-season crowds.
[Fee Explanations]
For solo travelers, every effort will be made to arrange room-sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation.
Fees include vehicle use, fuel, tolls, driver service fees, and basic insurance, excluding personal consumption and optional items.
Actual fees and itinerary details are subject to the contract signed after consultation and mutual agreement; reasonable itinerary changes may be made through negotiation.
VI. Pre-Trip Recommended Checklist: Details Determine Travel Quality
Documents:Valid identification, border pass (required for Baihaba Scenic Area).
Clothing:Three-layer dressing method (moisture-wicking base layer + fleece insulating layer + windproof/waterproof outer layer). Mountainous areas have large temperature variations between day and night, so even in summer, bring a windbreaker.
Medications:Portable oxygen canister (elevation 1,300-2,500 meters, with about 8% of visitors experiencing mild discomfort), cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine.
Others:High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, moisturizing skincare (dry mountainous areas), offline map packs (some road segments lack signal).
The beauty of Altay lies in its primitiveness and vastness. Whether chasing autumn colors, exploring winter snows, or immersing in grassland culture, this place fulfills your imagination of distant lands. Choose Xinjiang Explorers International Travel Agency and let our professional team plan a pure, free, and in-depth northern Xinjiang journey for you!
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
