Ili Travel Chartered Car Guide How to Travel the 8 Day Loop Route + Costs Recommended Itinerary and Price
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
Yili Tour Custom Car Rental Guide:In-depth 8-Day Loop Tour Full Analysis
🌄 [Detailed Introduction to the Route or Destination]
The Yili River Valley, an oasis embraced by the Tianshan Mountains, is renowned for its three-dimensional landscape interwoven with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and seas of flowers. In summer 2026, it will welcome an excellent viewing season:After the blue ice on Sayram Lake melts, the lake water becomes as clear as a mirror. The wildflowers on the Nalati Grassland blanket the hillsides. The lavender fields in Huocheng ripple with purple waves, while the rape flowers in Zhaosu complement the Tianma Grassland beautifully. The loop tour fully covers Yili’s core landscapes, connecting classic destinations such as Yining City, the Guozigou Canyon, the Xiata Ancient Path, the Kalajun Grassland, and the Tekes Bagua City, with an average daily driving time of under 3 hours, balancing natural exploration with cultural experiences.
🚗 [Simple Itinerary Arrangement]
▶️ Day 1:First Impressions of Yining
Arrive at Yining Airport in the morning, transfer to a downtown hotel after pickup. In the afternoon, visit the Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area, take a ride in a traditional “Hadik” horse-drawn carriage through the blue streets and alleys, visit homes of people from various ethnic groups, and taste handmade ice cream. In the evening, stroll along Liuxing Street, visit artistic courtyards and handicraft workshops, and try kawas (honey-fermented beverage) with baked buns.
▶️ Day 2:Guozigou Canyon → Sayram Lake
Depart early in the morning to traverse the Guozigou Canyon, capturing the magnificent view of the Guozigou Bridge framed by snow-capped mountains at the observation deck. Arrive at Sayram Lake at noon, drive around the lake or take a shuttle bus, with key stops at the East Gate Waterfront Beach, the Command Post, and the Xihai Grassland. In the evening, ascend Songshu Head Mountain for a panoramic view of the lake and sunset. Stay overnight at a lakeside starry sky homestay, with the Milky Way visible through the window.
Yili Tour Custom Car Rental Guide: In-depth 8-Day Loop Tour Full Analysis▶️ Day 3:Sayram Lake → Huocheng Lavender Fields
Capture the morning mist over the lake in the early morning, then head to the Huocheng Jieyou Princess Lavender Farm (not a roadside wildflower field) in the morning. Learn about lavender cultivation and essential oil extraction under professional guidance, and capture stunning photos of the terraced flower fields. Return to Yining in the evening and take a night tour of the Yili River Bridge to watch the river sunset.
▶️ Day 4:Yizhao Highway → Zhaosu Grassland
Traverse the “Little Duku” Yizhao Highway (recommended for travel from June to September), with stops at the Baishifeng Observation Deck and the Angelete Daban along the way. Arrive at the Zhaosu Wetland Park in the afternoon to watch the Tianma Bathing River performance, then head to the Xiata Ancient Path Scenic Area in the evening for a hike to General Bridge, overlooking the Muzart Snow Mountain Glacier in the distance.
▶️ Day 5:Xiata Ancient Path → Kalajun Grassland
Venture deep into the Xiata Ancient Path in the morning, hike lightly to the Flower Terrace for a close-up view of the triple landscape of snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands. In the afternoon, transfer to the Kalajun Grassland, take the Kuokesu Grand Canyon cable car, capture the “Human Grassland” light and shadow, and stay overnight in Tekes Bagua City. Ascend Lijie Street’s I Ching Cultural Park to interpret the city’s layout secrets.
▶️ Day 6:Kalajun → Nalati Grassland
Spend the whole day exploring the Nalati Grassland, prioritizing the Air Grassland route. Experience home visits with people from various ethnic groups at the Nomadic Family stop, trying traditional skills like milking cows and making nang (flatbread). In the evening, drive the Panlong Valley Road to capture the layered autumn colors of the mountainous landscape (September exclusive).
▶️ Day 7:Nalati → Bayinbuluk Grassland
🌄[Detailed Introduction to the Route or Destination]Head south along the middle section of the Duku Highway, traversing the snow prevention corridor and the Tiger’s Mouth dangerous section to reach the Bayinbuluk Grassland. Take a shuttle bus to the Nine-Curve Eighteen-Bend Observation Deck and wait for the sunset to reflect the Kaidu River into the miracle of “Nine Suns.” Stay overnight in a grassland yurt and experience nomadic life.
▶️ Day 8:Bayinbuluk → Return to Yining
Enjoy free time in the morning for horseback riding or visiting the Swan Lake Reserve. Return via the north section of the Duku Highway at noon, stopping at the Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery to pay tribute to the road construction heroes. Arrive at Yining Airport in the evening to conclude the trip.
💰 [Price Description]
The reference cost for the 8-day custom car rental loop tour in Yili in 2026 is as follows (specifics subject to actual consultation and contract signing):
Basic Costs:
5-seater SUV (2-4 people):1200-1500 RMB/day
7-seater business vehicle (4-6 people):1200-1600 RMB/day
The Yili River Valley, an oasis embraced by the Tianshan Mountains, is renowned for its three-dimensional landscape interwoven with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, lakes, and seas of flowers. In summer 2026, it will welcome an excellent viewing season: After the blue ice on Sayram Lake melts, the lake water becomes as clear as a mirror. The wildflowers on the Nalati Grassland blanket the hillsides. The lavender fields in Huocheng ripple with purple waves, while the rape flowers in Zhaosu complement the Tianma Grassland beautifully. The loop tour fully covers Yili’s core landscapes, connecting classic destinations such as Yining City, the Guozigou Canyon, the Xiata Ancient Path, the Kalajun Grassland, and the Tekes Bagua City, with an average daily driving time of under 3 hours, balancing natural exploration with cultural experiences.9-seater minibus (8-12 people):1800-2500 RMB/day
Costs Include:Compliant commercial vehicle usage fees, fuel costs, toll fees, parking fees, driver service fees, and basic insurance.
Additional Costs:
Yizhao Highway/Duku Highway scheduling fee:200-300 RMB/day (subject to road conditions)
Driver accommodation and meal subsidies:200 RMB/day (negotiable to be split among passengers or included in the total price)
Scenic Area Fees (reference):
Sayram Lake:Admission ticket 70 RMB/person, shuttle bus 75 RMB/person
Nalati Grassland:Admission ticket 95 RMB/person, Air Grassland shuttle bus 60 RMB/person
Kalajun Grassland:Admission ticket 80 RMB/person, East-West combined ticket + shuttle bus 140 RMB/person
🚗[Simple Itinerary Arrangement]Xiata Ancient Path:Admission ticket 30 RMB/person, shuttle bus 60 RMB/person
Huocheng Lavender Fields:Admission ticket 30-50 RMB/person (varies by park)
📝 [Registration Method]
You can register through Xinjiang Explorer International Travel Agency and consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for details on the route, vehicle selection, and availability. It is recommended to communicate 15-30 days in advance to secure high-quality accommodation and vehicle resources.
📋 [Cost Description and Service Description]
Costs Include:Vehicle, driver, basic insurance, and itinerary planning services.
Costs Exclude:Tourist accommodation, meals, scenic area admission tickets, personal expenses, and optional items not included in the itinerary.
Service Commitments:
▶️ Day 1: First Impressions of YiningFully utilize tourism vehicles with legal commercial operating qualifications throughout the trip. The driver is familiar with the road conditions across Yili, especially skilled in driving on mountain roads and seasonally restricted sections.
In case of unforeseen factors such as sudden weather changes or road closures during the trip, both parties can reasonably adjust the route, accommodation, or visiting order through mutual consultation.
Scenic areas implement real-name entry; valid identification must be carried. Some areas may require health information registration (subject to on-site policies).
Special Reminders:For single registrants, efforts will be made to coordinate room-sharing. Special circumstances require separate negotiation. Costs and availability are subject to contract or customer service confirmation and may fluctuate with departure dates, with the contract signed by both parties prevailing.
📌 [Practical Tips]
Document Preparation:Valid identification, student ID/senior citizen card (for admission discounts), driver’s license (if self-driving certain sections is required).
Clothing and Equipment:In summer, bring windproof jackets, thin down jackets (for low temperatures on the grassland in the evening), and for areas with strong UV rays, recommend sun hats, sunglasses, and SPF50+ sunscreen.
Photography Suggestions:Sayram Lake and Kalajun Grassland are suitable for wide-angle lenses, Xiata Ancient Path requires telephoto lenses for snow mountain details, and the Duku Highway should have polarizing filters to reduce glare.
Dietary Notes:Diets in ethnic minority areas mainly consist of beef, mutton, and noodles. Those with sensitive stomachs are advised to bring probiotics. Recommended fruits include Yili apples and flat peaches.
Yili’s summer is a sea of flowers at the foot of snow-capped mountains, lakes at the end of grasslands, and glaciers deep within ancient paths. Choosing a custom car rental loop tour allows you to freely control the pace while delving into niche hidden gems, making this journey to the Western Regions a shining chapter in your memories.
Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation.
