Altay Group Tour 5 Day Irtysh River Frost Special Route Early Morning Check in at Blue White Ice Forest Secret Realm Compare Travel Costs for Reference Recommended Route Price

Contact Manager Mai Zi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.

[✨An Encounter with the Rime on the Irtysh River | A 5-Day In-Depth Experience Guide in Altay]
I. Itinerary Highlights: Unlock the Exclusive Winter Romance of Northern Xinjiang
Altay in winter is a fairy-tale world sculpted by ice and snow. The Irtysh River, the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean, boasts rime scenery along its banks in winter that can be described as a ‘natural ice and snow art gallery.’ When morning mist intertwines with sunlight, the trees on both sides of the riverbank are adorned with glistening ice, forming a ‘secret ice forest realm’ in shades of blue and white, attracting countless photography enthusiasts and nature explorers.
Core Experiences:
Morning Rime Photography:At 7 a.m., follow a professional guide to a lesser-known viewing platform by the Irtysh River to capture the moment when the first rays of sunlight pierce through the ice crystals.
Snowy Plain Trekking:Trek through the pristine snowy plains by Kanas Lake, feeling the tranquility as the snow reaches your knees, and encounter traces of snow squirrels and wild rabbits.
Folk Culture Interaction:Visit a Tuvan village, experience making traditional fur skis, and listen to the melodious tunes of the Chuwur (a reed-made musical instrument).
Stargazing:On the snowy plains free from light pollution, observe winter constellations with a professional telescope and feel the awe-inspiring proximity of the Milky Way.
II. 2026 Simple Itinerary (Subject to the actual signed itinerary)
Day 1:Gather in downtown Altay

[✨An Encounter with the Rime on the Irtysh River | A 5-Day In-Depth Experience Guide in Altay]Morning:Arrive at Altay Xuedu Airport and be transferred by private car to a downtown hotel (reference hotel: Altay Jinqiao Holiday Hotel, including breakfast).
Afternoon:Free activities. We recommend visiting Hualin Park to photograph snowy landscapes or experiencing an indoor skiing simulator.
Evening:Welcome dinner to taste the special cuisine ‘Naren’ (hand-grabbed horse meat noodles) of various ethnic groups.
Day 2:Secret Realm of Rime on the Irtysh River
Early Morning:Depart at 6:30 a.m. and arrive at the viewing platform by car in 1 hour to photograph the morning rime scenery (warm patches and hot drinks provided).
Morning:Hike 3 kilometers along the riverbank to observe the differences in rime formations on different tree species.
Afternoon:Head to Burqin County, visit the Old Sino-Russian Dock Style Street, and taste a cold-water fish feast.
Evening:Check into the Burqin Fairy Tale Castle Hotel and experience Russian architectural style.
Day 3:Snowy Expedition to Kanas Lake
All Day:Take an anti-slip off-road vehicle deep into the Kanas Scenic Area, tour the snowy landscapes of the Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay), and ascend Guanyu Terrace to overlook the ice bubble spectacle on the lake surface.
Special Arrangement:Experience ice biking and curling on the ice surface of Kanas Lake.

I. Itinerary Highlights: Unlock the Exclusive Winter Romance of Northern XinjiangDay 4:Tuvan Culture Day
Morning:Visit a Tuvan family in Hemu Village and learn to make ‘Guli Maixi’ (a traditional dairy product).
Afternoon:Participate in folk activities such as ‘Girl Chase’ and ‘Goat Snatching,’ and wear ethnic costumes for photo shoots.
Evening:Sit around a bonfire and listen to intangible cultural heritage inheritors tell legends of the Kanas Lake Monster.
Day 5:Return Journey and Free Shopping
Morning:Visit the Altay Regional Cultural and Creative Park to purchase specialties such as snow chrysanthemum and blackcurrant jam.
Afternoon:Transfer to the airport according to flight time and conclude the itinerary.
III. Price Description (Reference Range for 2026)
Basic Tour Fee:Starting from 4,980 yuan per adult and 3,680 yuan per child (under 12 years old, no extra bed)
Fees Include:
Transportation:Air-conditioned tourist buses within Altay and between scenic areas (including snow tires)

Altay in winter is a fairy-tale world sculpted by ice and snow. The Irtysh River, the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean, boasts rime scenery along its banks in winter that can be described as a ‘natural ice and snow art gallery.’ When morning mist intertwines with sunlight, the trees on both sides of the riverbank are adorned with glistening ice, forming a ‘secret ice forest realm’ in shades of blue and white, attracting countless photography enthusiasts and nature explorers.Accommodation:4 nights in four-star hotels (including breakfast)
Admission Tickets:First entrance tickets to scenic areas such as Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba
Meals:8 formal meals (including 3 special meals)
Guide Services:Certified guide services throughout the trip + local guides
Insurance:Travel agency liability insurance + travel accident insurance
Optional Items for Reference:
Snowmobile Crossing:380 yuan per person (approximately 1 hour)
Tuvan Home Visit Photography:150 yuan per person (including 3 retouched photos)
Stargazing Experience:200 yuan per person (including use of professional equipment)
Price Fluctuation Description:
Fees may vary according to peak and off-peak seasons, hotel room types, and transportation costs. The specific contract shall prevail as provided by Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency.

Core Experiences: Tour fees may increase by 15%-20% during holidays such as the Spring Festival and New Year’s Day.
IV. Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency by providing your name, valid ID number, contact information, and special needs (such as dietary restrictions and health conditions).
After successful registration, the customer service will send an electronic contract to your email, which needs to be signed within 3 working days.
V. Fee Description and Service Description
Fees Do Not Include:Round-trip transportation fees to Altay, personal expenses, and items not mentioned in the itinerary.
Single Registration:Our agency will do its best to arrange room sharing. If room sharing is not possible, an additional fee of 1,200 yuan for the entire trip will be required (subject to actual consultation and signing).
Itinerary Changes:In case of extreme weather or policy changes, both parties can agree to make reasonable changes to the itinerary through consultation.
Cancellation and Refund Policy:The specific contract signed by both parties shall prevail. It is recommended to purchase ‘cancellation insurance’ 15 days before travel to reduce risks.
VI. Practical Tips
Equipment Suggestions:Bring windproof face masks, touchscreen gloves, high-top snow boots, and equip your camera with an anti-cold cover.

Morning Rime Photography: At 7 a.m., follow a professional guide to a lesser-known viewing platform by the Irtysh River to capture the moment when the first rays of sunlight pierce through the ice crystals.Photography Timing:The best time for rime photography is within 1 hour after sunrise. It is recommended to use a polarizing filter to reduce glare.
Transportation Tips:Direct flights to Altay Xuedu Airport include those from Urumqi, Xi’an, and Zhengzhou. Winter flights may be reduced, so confirm in advance.
Policy Reminder:A pass is required to enter Baihaba Village (can be obtained free of charge at the Kanas Scenic Area Transfer Center).
VII. Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Can rime be seen in 5 days?
A:Rime on the Irtysh River usually appears from December to February of the following year, with a持续概率 [This seems to be a mistranslation in the original text; it should likely be ‘probability of occurrence’] of about 80%. However, its specific formation is affected by temperature and humidity and cannot be guaranteed.
Q:Are drones allowed to fly in the scenic areas?
A:Drone flying is prohibited in the core areas of scenic areas such as Kanas and Hemu. Drones can only be used after reporting in designated areas.
Q:Are admission tickets included in the child’s fee?
A:Children under 1.2 meters are exempt from scenic area admission tickets. Children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters need to purchase half-price tickets (approximately 150 yuan per person). The specific policy shall prevail according to the scenic area’s regulations on the day.
[✨Conclusion]
Altay in winter is a poetic画卷 [should be ‘painting’] interwoven with nature and humanities. From the ice crystal rime on the Irtysh River to the ancient songs of the Tuvan people, every detail is worth savoring. Choose Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency to let our professional team help you avoid travel risks and focus on enjoying the pure beauty of northern Xinjiang. For details, please contact customer service manager Zhang Jing to start your ice and snow adventure!

Contact Manager Mai Zi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send your itinerary and receive a quote.