2026 Altay 7 Day Group Tour All Region Itinerary with Lake Views, Forests, and Grasslands, High Cost Performance, Limited Time Registration Recommended Itinerary Price
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
Explore Altay:Seven-Day All-Region Scenic Journey: Unlock the Diverse Tapestry of Northern Xinjiang’s Hidden Gems
✨ Detailed Introduction to Itinerary or Destination
Altay, a land blessed by the mountains and rivers of northern Xinjiang, is renowned as the “Snow Capital of China” and harbors natural secrets of beauty in all four seasons. By 2026, with more mature tourism facilities, it will welcome travelers yearning for pristine landscapes. From the emerald lakes of Kanas to the fairy-tale wooden houses of Hemu, from the primeval forests of Koktokay to the border grasslands of Baihaba, this seven-day itinerary will connect the most breathtaking landscapes of Altay, guiding you through lake views, mountain hues, forest waves, and meadows, to experience the vastness and gentleness of northern Xinjiang.
【Kanas Lake】——”Pure Land on Earth” in Northern Xinjiang
Kanas Lake is famous as the “Color-Changing Lake,” with its waters shifting through hues of blue-green, milky white, and dark green with the seasons and light. By 2026, the scenic area has added three new viewing platforms and extended the lakeside boardwalk to 12 kilometers, allowing visitors to feel the lake’s vibrancy up close. In the primeval forest by the lake, Siberian larch and spruce intertwine, with squirrels occasionally darting among the branches, while the air is filled with the fragrance of pine resin.
【Hemu Village】——The “Cloud-Top Wooden Houses” of the Tuvas
Hemu Village is hailed as a “private reserve.” By 2026, it retains over 200 original wooden houses built by the Tuvas, with roofs covered in thick snow (winter) or grass (summer). In the morning, smoke curls from the wooden house chimneys, blending with distant snow-capped mountains and nearby birch forests to create a watercolor painting. The village has added a Tuvan Cultural Experience Center, where visitors can try making traditional fur skis or listen to the melodious sounds of the Chuwur (a grass flute).
【Koktokay National Geopark】——An “Encyclopedia” of Geological Wonders
Koktokay centers around the “Irtysh Grand Canyon.” By 2026, the scenic area has opened a hiking trail from “Zhongshan” to “Jilande Hot Spring,” spanning about 8 kilometers, with granite peak forests, waterfall clusters, and mining relics along the way. The No. 3 Mine here once contributed significantly to repaying Soviet debts and has now been transformed into a geological museum displaying rare mineral specimens such as beryl and spodumene.
Explore Altay: Seven-Day All-Region Scenic Journey: Unlock the Diverse Tapestry of Northern Xinjiang’s Hidden Gems【Baihaba Village】——The “Northwestern First Village” on the China-Kazakhstan Border
Baihaba is located on the China-Kazakhstan border. By 2026, a border culture exhibition area has been added at the village entrance, introducing the living customs of various ethnic groups in the border region through images, texts, and artifacts. The village still retains wooden houses with tin roofs and fences. In autumn, golden birch forests intertwine with emerald pine forests, set against distant snow-capped mountains, resembling an oil painting. Note:A permit is required to enter Baihaba (can be arranged with assistance from a travel agency).
【Colorful Beach】——The “Color Palette” of Yardang Landforms
Colorful Beach is located in Burqin County. By 2026, the scenic area has optimized its viewing trails and added a sunset viewing platform. Here, the rock layers display various colors such as red, green, purple, and yellow due to different mineral contents, especially contrasting vividly with the blue-green waters of the Irtysh River at sunset, earning it the title of “Xinjiang’s most beautiful Yardang.”
Simple Itinerary (Reference for 2026)
【Day 1:Gather in Urumqi】
Afternoon:Arrive in Urumqi and check into the hotel arranged by the travel agency (reference: 4-star, including breakfast).
Evening:Free activities. We recommend visiting the International Bazaar to sample ethnic delicacies such as baked buns and pilaf.
【Day 2:Urumqi—Koktokay (about 500 km, 6-hour drive)】
✨Detailed Introduction to Itinerary or DestinationMorning:Travel north along National Highway G216, passing the edge of the Gurbantunggut Desert to observe desert vegetation.
Afternoon:Tour Koktokay National Geopark and hike the trail from Zhongshan to the hot spring.
Evening:Check into a hotel in Fuyun County (reference: 3-star).
【Day 3:Koktokay—Kanas (about 320 km, 5-hour drive)】
Morning:Travel to Kanas, stopping for lunch in Beitun City (recommended: cold-water fish feast).
Afternoon:Tour Kanas Lake, take a boat tour (reference ticket price: 120 RMB/person, subject to contract), and ascend Guanyu Platform for a panoramic view.
Evening:Check into a hotel in Jiadengyu (reference: 3-star, including breakfast).
【Day 4:Kanas—Hemu (about 60 km, 1.5-hour drive)】
Morning:Tour the Three Bays of Kanas (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay) and hike the wooden boardwalk.
Afternoon:Travel to Hemu Village and check into a Tuvan wooden house (reference: characteristic homestay, including breakfast).
Altay, a land blessed by the mountains and rivers of northern Xinjiang, is renowned as the “Snow Capital of China” and harbors natural secrets of beauty in all four seasons. By 2026, with more mature tourism facilities, it will welcome travelers yearning for pristine landscapes. From the emerald lakes of Kanas to the fairy-tale wooden houses of Hemu, from the primeval forests of Koktokay to the border grasslands of Baihaba, this seven-day itinerary will connect the most breathtaking landscapes of Altay, guiding you through lake views, mountain hues, forest waves, and meadows, to experience the vastness and gentleness of northern Xinjiang.Evening:Free activities. You can photograph the starry sky or join a bonfire party (weather permitting).
【Day 5:Hemu—Baihaba (about 50 km, 1-hour drive)】
Morning:Freely photograph the morning mist in Hemu Village and experience Tuvan culture.
Afternoon:Travel to Baihaba, obtain a permit, tour the village, and ascend the viewing platform for a distant view of the China-Kazakhstan border.
Evening:Return to Hemu Village for accommodation.
【Day 6:Hemu—Colorful Beach—Burqin (about 200 km, 3-hour drive)】
Morning:Leave Hemu and travel to Burqin County.
Afternoon:Tour Colorful Beach and photograph the sunset (reference opening hours: 9:00 AM–8:00 PM, subject to scenic area notice).
Evening:Check into a hotel in Burqin (reference: 3-star) and freely sample grilled fish.
【Kanas Lake】——”Pure Land on Earth” in Northern Xinjiang【Day 7:Burqin—Urumqi (about 600 km, 7-hour drive)】
Morning:Travel back to Urumqi, stopping for lunch in Karamay City (recommended: noodles, pilaf).
Afternoon:Arrive in Urumqi and conclude the itinerary (recommended to book flights after 7:00 PM).
Price Information (Reference for 2026)
Reference Tour Fee Range:3,980–4,580 RMB/person (subject to actual consultation and contract signing)
Included Items:Air-conditioned tour bus for the entire journey, 6 nights of accommodation (including breakfast), first admission tickets to scenic spots, guide services, and travel agency liability insurance.
Excluded Items:Round-trip transportation to/from Urumqi, Kanas boat tour (120 RMB), permit processing fee (about 20 RMB), and personal expenses.
Price Fluctuation Notice:Tour fees may fluctuate due to factors such as season, hotel room type, and schedule changes, subject to the contract signed by both parties.
How to Register
Kanas Lake is famous as the “Color-Changing Lake,” with its waters shifting through hues of blue-green, milky white, and dark green with the seasons and light. By 2026, the scenic area has added three new viewing platforms and extended the lakeside boardwalk to 12 kilometers, allowing visitors to feel the lake’s vibrancy up close. In the primeval forest by the lake, Siberian larch and spruce intertwine, with squirrels occasionally darting among the branches, while the air is filled with the fragrance of pine resin. You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency and consult Manager Zhang Jing for details.
Fee and Service Information
Included Fees:Transportation, accommodation, admission tickets, and guide services listed in the itinerary, subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
Excluded Fees:Personal accident insurance (recommended to purchase independently), (single registrants will be coordinated for shared rooms; special cases require separate negotiation), and self-paid items outside the itinerary.
Service Standards:Official tour vehicles are used throughout, guides are certified, and accommodation hotels pass inspections.
Special Reminder:The itinerary may be reasonably adjusted by mutual agreement (e.g., due to weather or policy reasons).
Other Practical Information
Transportation Advice:No public transportation is available between Urumqi and scenic areas; joining a group or customizing transportation is recommended. Within scenic areas, walking or electric shuttles are the primary modes of transport.
Equipment Suggestions:In summer, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light jacket; in autumn, prepare a windbreaker; in winter, equip yourself with snow boots and warming patches.
Policy Reminder:Scenic areas such as Kanas and Baihaba require real-name reservation; valid identification information must be provided in advance (can be handled through a travel agency).
Seven days in Altay are a dialogue between lakes and mountains, a symphony of forests and grasslands, and a harmonious resonance between humanity and nature. In 2026, let us follow the footsteps of Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency to measure the vastness of northern Xinjiang with our steps and capture every frame of pristine scenery with our lenses.
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.

