2026 Altay Ice and Snow 9 Day Private Car Rental Hemu Horse Drawn Sleigh, Kanas Frozen Lake Surface, 4WD Vehicle Fee Inquiry Recommended Itinerary Price
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation.
Frozen Adventure • Exploring Northern Xinjiang:2026 Altay 9-Day In-Depth Customized Car Tour Complete Guide
[Route Highlights:Unlock the Secret Ice Realm of Northern Xinjiang]
The Altay region is known as the ‘Birthplace of Human Skiing.’ In winter, places like Kanas, Hemu Village, and Baihaba are covered in snow and ice, forming a fairy-tale-like ice world. This itinerary focuses on ‘customized car travel,’ connecting three core scenic areas with unique experiences like horse-drawn sleigh rides and 4WD vehicle crossings, avoiding the crowds of conventional tour groups and allowing a deep immersion in the pristine wilderness of Northern Xinjiang.
I. Core Scenic Spots and Experiences
Frozen Spectacle of Kanas Lake:In winter, the ice layer on Kanas Lake can reach over 1 meter thick. You can hike or take a snowmobile to the center of the lake to overlook the fantastical scenes of ice cracks and bubble ice.
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride Through Hemu Village:Ride a traditional horse-drawn sleigh through the birch forests, stopping at Haden Viewing Platform and Meilifeng Pasture to experience the Tuvan herding culture.
Baihaba Border Snow Village:A primitive village online, with wisps of cooking smoke in winter, creating an oil painting-like scene with snow-capped mountains and forests. A permit is required in advance.
4WD Vehicle Snow Plain Crossing:A professional driver navigates a 4WD off-road vehicle across the snowy road from General’s Hill Ski Resort to Hemu, stopping at secret spots like the rime corridor and snow mushroom beach along the way.
Snowfield Folk Customs Experience:Learn to make cheese curds in a Tuvan home, participate in a snowfield goat-snatching competition, stay overnight in a wooden cabin with a bonfire party, and gaze at the Milky Way under the starry sky.
II. 9-Day Simple Itinerary Plan
Day 1:Arrive in Altay, acclimate to the plateau climate
Frozen Adventure • Exploring Northern Xinjiang: 2026 Altay 9-Day In-Depth Customized Car Tour Complete GuideMorning:Arrive at Altay Xuedu Airport by plane and be picked up by a private car to a downtown hotel (recommended near General’s Hill Ski Resort for convenience the next day).
Afternoon:Free activities. It is recommended to experience the beginner slope at General’s Hill Ski Resort (included in some packages) or take a stroll along the Kelan River Ice Corridor.
Dinner:Taste Burqin grilled fish with kvass beverage to experience Russian-style charm.
Day 2:Altay → Kanas (5-hour drive)
Morning:Depart at 7:30 AM and take a customized 4WD vehicle across Provincial Highway S232, enjoying views of the Altai Mountains’ rime and snowy pastures along the way.
Noon:Arrive at Jiadengyu Ecological Restaurant and warm up with a dried beef hot pot.
Afternoon:Transfer to a scenic area shuttle bus to enter Kanas and visit Xianwan Morning Mist (high probability of morning mist in winter) and Moon Bay Ice River S-Curve.
Accommodation:Stay in a small wooden cabin inside the Kanas scenic area (book 1 month in advance). Night photography of the starry sky is possible.
Day 3:In-Depth Kanas Tour
Morning:Climb Guanyu Platform to overlook the frozen Kanas Lake and hike across the ice to the lake’s heart island (with a guide).
Afternoon:Experience a snowmobile ride through the primeval forest and visit a Tuvan winter dwelling (traditional earth lodge).
Dinner:Enjoy a local hot pot in a wooden cabin, with ingredients including Altay big-tail mutton and naturally grown mushrooms.
[Route Highlights: Unlock the Secret Ice Realm of Northern Xinjiang]Day 4:Kanas → Hemu Village (2-hour drive)
Morning:Take a horse-drawn sleigh from the Kanas transfer center to Hemu Bridge (about 1.5 hours), stopping at Meilifeng Pasture along the way.
Afternoon:Free activities in Hemu Village. It is recommended to climb Haden Viewing Platform for a panoramic view of the village or participate in a snowfield goat-snatching competition.
Accommodation:Stay in a Tuvan wooden cabin in Hemu Village (with floor heating and traditional flower felt decorations).
Day 5:Full-Day Experience in Hemu Village
Morning:Take a horse-drawn sleigh through the birch forest to Jike Pulin Ski Resort (experience powder snow skiing in winter).
Afternoon:Return to the village to learn to make cheese curds and participate in traditional Tuvan song and dance lessons.
Dinner:Wooden cabin bonfire party with roast whole lamb and kumis.
Day 6:Hemu → Baihaba (1.5-hour drive)
Morning:Obtain a permit and travel by car to Baihaba Village, stopping at the Sino-Kazakh border landscape and No. 5 Boundary River along the way.
Afternoon:Visit the ‘No. 1 Village in the Northwest’ stone monument and Tuvan ruins, and photograph the border snow village at sunset.
Accommodation:Stay in a characteristic wooden cabin in Baihaba Village (with electric blankets and an indoor temperature of about 20°C in winter).
The Altay region is known as the ‘Birthplace of Human Skiing.’ In winter, places like Kanas, Hemu Village, and Baihaba are covered in snow and ice, forming a fairy-tale-like ice world. This itinerary focuses on ‘customized car travel,’ connecting three core scenic areas with unique experiences like horse-drawn sleigh rides and 4WD vehicle crossings, avoiding the crowds of conventional tour groups and allowing a deep immersion in the pristine wilderness of Northern Xinjiang.Day 7:Baihaba → Altay (6-hour drive)
Morning:Return via the snowy road, stopping at Chonghu’er Town’s rime corridor and Hongshanzui Port (closed in winter but viewable from a distance).
Afternoon:Arrive in downtown Altay and check into a hot spring hotel to relieve fatigue (recommended: Wuzhishan Hot Spring with sulfur spring pools).
Dinner:Experience大盘鸡 (big plate chicken) with nang pit meat in the city and buy a nut gift box as a souvenir.
Day 8:Altay Cultural Experience Day
Morning:Visit the Museum of the Birthplace of Human Skiing to learn about the 10,000-year history of skiing through the rock paintings in the Dunde Bulak Cave.
Afternoon:Experience a fur ski-making workshop (reservation required) or participate in a snowmobile cross-country race.
Dinner:Taste raw cold-water fish from the Irtysh River in the city, paired with traditional Tuvan milk tea.
Day 9:Departure
Morning:See off at the airport according to the flight schedule and end the Northern Xinjiang ice and snow journey.
III. 2026 Price Description (subject to contract)
I. Core Scenic Spots and ExperiencesCustomized Car Rental Fees:
5-seat SUV:Approximately 800-1200 yuan/day (including fuel and driver service fees, subject to seasonal fluctuations)
7-seat business vehicle:Approximately 1000-1500 yuan/day (suitable for 4-6 people sharing, approximately 200-300 yuan/person per day)
Horse-Drawn Sleigh:
Short route in Hemu Village (1 hour):200 yuan/sleigh (seats 2 people)
Long scenic route (2 hours):400 yuan/sleigh (including a stop at Meilifeng Pasture)
Scenic Area Tickets:
Kanas + Hemu + Baihaba Winter Joint Ticket:100 yuan/person (valid for 3 days)
Self-drive package (including 4WD vehicle toll):110 yuan/person (valid for 48 hours)
Dining Reference:
Average cost per main meal:50-80 yuan/meal (recommended to try dried meat, milk skin, and other specialties)
Accommodation Reference:
Frozen Spectacle of Kanas Lake: In winter, the ice layer on Kanas Lake can reach over 1 meter thick. You can hike or take a snowmobile to the center of the lake to overlook the fantastical scenes of ice cracks and bubble ice.Scenic Area Wooden Cabin:400-800 yuan/night (including breakfast, book in advance during peak season)
Downtown Hotel:200-500 yuan/night (recommended to choose a hotel with hot springs)
IV. Registration Method and Service Description
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, which provides one-stop services including itinerary customization, vehicle scheduling, and ticket reservations.
Fees Included:Vehicle usage fees, driver service fees, basic travel insurance, and first entrance tickets to scenic areas.
Fees Not Included:Driver’s accommodation and meals (negotiable for sharing), personal expenses, meals outside the itinerary, and permit processing fees.
Special Reminders:
Winter temperatures in Altay can drop below -30°C. It is necessary to bring professional cold-weather gear (such as down pants, snow boots, and touchscreen gloves).
Confirm the qualifications of the horse-drawn sleigh operator in advance and choose a正规 (formal) service provider with insurance.
4WD vehicle crossings must be driven by a local driver familiar with the road conditions. Do not drive to undeveloped areas on your own.
V. Inquiries and Contract Signing
Specific itinerary details, price fluctuations, and availability are subject to the information provided by Zhang Jing, the customer service manager of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Please read the contract terms carefully before signing to clarify the cancellation and refund policy and responsibility division.
The ice and snow world of Northern Xinjiang is a miracle woven by nature and humanity. In winter 2026, let us use customized cars as our vessel to traverse the snowy plains and forests, listening to the ancient songs of the Tuvan people amidst the creaking of horse-drawn sleighs and feeling the eternal charm of the birthplace of human skiing.
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation.
