2026 Altay Parent Child 8 Day Private Car Rental Geographic Research Tour to Sandaohaizi Rock Paintings, Mine Relics, Vehicle Quotation, Online Registration Recommended Itinerary Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation.
Explore the Geological Wonders of Northern Xinjiang:2026 Altay 8-Day Custom Family Study Tour with Private Vehicle
🌄 Itinerary Highlights:Rock Art Exploration + Mine Study + Geography Class
This study tour, designed specifically for families with children, will take you to the hidden corners of Altay, Xinjiang—the Sandaohaizi ruins, Koktokay No.3 Mine, and the Wucaitan Yardang landform, three major geological wonders. The itinerary integrates three themes: archaeological exploration, mineral science, and landform observation, with professional study guides. Through field trips, interactive experiments, and hands-on activities, children will gain knowledge and spark an interest in natural sciences during the journey.
📅 Simple Itinerary Arrangement
Day 1:Gather in Urumqi · Geological Journey Begins
Arrive in Urumqi in the morning and check into a family-themed hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Xinjiang Geology and Mineral Museum (free, reservation required) to learn about the geological evolution of Xinjiang through interactive exhibits. In the evening, enjoy local specialties such as roast whole lamb and pilaf to adapt to Xinjiang cuisine.
Day 2:Koktokay Mine Study
Drive to Koktokay National Geopark to visit the No.3 Mine—a 200-meter-deep ‘geological textbook’ that once helped repay national debts. Children will wear helmets, ride mine carts into the tunnels, and observe over 80 mineral specimens in the granite pegmatite veins. In the afternoon, conduct a ‘River Landform Observation Class’ in the Irtysh Grand Canyon, using magnifying glasses to find mineral crystals in the riverbed.
Explore the Geological Wonders of Northern Xinjiang: 2026 Altay 8-Day Custom Family Study Tour with Private VehicleDay 3:Sandaohaizi Ruins Exploration
Venture into the Sandaohaizi ruins in Qinghe County, where giant stone piles, deer stones, and rock art are scattered. Professional archaeological guides will lead children to replicate rock art patterns using rubbing tools and interpret the sacrificial culture of local nomadic tribes from 3,000 years ago. At the Huahaizi Lake at an altitude of 2,500 meters, conduct a ‘Stargazing Class’ to find the Big Dipper and the legendary ‘Pegasus Constellation’ through telescopes.
Day 4:Wucaitan Landform Experiment
Head to Burqin Wucaitan, a wonder formed by red sandstone and the green Irtysh River, serving as a natural landform laboratory. Children will collect rock samples, test the pH levels of different rock layers using pH paper, and observe honeycomb structures formed by wind erosion through microscopes. In the evening, conduct a ‘Light and Shadow Painting Class’ on the observation deck to record the color changes at sunset with sketchbooks.
Day 5:Kanas Ecology Class
Spend the whole day exploring Kanas Scenic Area and visit the Three Bays in the morning mist by shuttle bus. Conduct a ‘Lake Ecosystem Survey’ at Guanyu Platform, collecting aquatic insects with nets and observing water transparency through microscopes. In the afternoon, learn to make fur skis in a Tuvan village and understand traditional nomadic wisdom.
Day 6:Hemu Village Geological Handicrafts
Go deep into Hemu Village, ‘God’s Reserved Land,’ and conduct a ‘Dendrochronology’ practical class in the birch forest to determine tree ages and climate changes through tree rings. Children will create ‘geological mini-landscapes’ using natural materials such as pinecones and pebbles to take home as travel souvenirs.
Day 7:Ulungur Lake Wetland Investigation
🌄 Itinerary Highlights: Rock Art Exploration + Mine Study + Geography ClassTravel to Ulungur Lake in Fuhai County, Xinjiang’s second-largest inland lake and an important stopover for migratory birds. Observe birds such as black-headed gulls and egrets by boat and record their foraging behaviors with binoculars. In the afternoon, conduct a ‘Sediment Experiment’ on the beach to analyze the particle composition of lake sand through sieving.
Day 8:Departure from Altay · Knowledge Summary
Enjoy free time in Altay City in the morning and visit the regional museum to reinforce study knowledge. Depart in the afternoon according to flight/train schedules, concluding a fulfilling knowledge journey.
💰 Price Description (Reference Range for 2026)
Basic Fees Include
Transportation:7-seat business vehicle/14-seat minibus (including fuel, tolls, parking fees)
Accommodation:7 nights in four-star standard hotels (including family room arrangements)
Admission Tickets:First admission tickets to scenic spots such as Koktokay, Kanas, Hemu, and Wucaitan
This study tour, designed specifically for families with children, will take you to the hidden corners of Altay, Xinjiang—the Sandaohaizi ruins, Koktokay No.3 Mine, and the Wucaitan Yardang landform, three major geological wonders. The itinerary integrates three themes: archaeological exploration, mineral science, and landform observation, with professional study guides. Through field trips, interactive experiments, and hands-on activities, children will gain knowledge and spark an interest in natural sciences during the journey.Meals:7 breakfasts + 6 lunches (including 3 special meals: roast whole lamb, Tuvan feast, cold-water fish feast)
Services:Professional study guides + licensed drivers + basic insurance
Reference Price Range
7-seat business vehicle (group of 4):Approximately 12,000-15,000 yuan per group
14-seat minibus (group of 8):Approximately 18,000-22,000 yuan per group
Individual Registration:Approximately 4,500-5,500 yuan per adult, approximately 3,500-4,500 yuan per child (including bed)
Special Notes
Prices may fluctuate based on season, vehicle type, and accommodation standards, subject to the contract signed with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Reservations must be made 30 days in advance during peak seasons such as National Day and summer vacation.
📝 Registration Method
📅 Simple Itinerary ArrangementRegister through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Contact customer service manager Zhang Jing at Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, providing family size, children’s ages, and travel dates. The customer service will customize an exclusive plan for you.
📋 Fee Description and Service Description
Fees Include:Vehicle usage fees, driver service fees, fuel fees, tolls, first admission tickets to scenic spots, study course fees, and basic insurance.
Fees Exclude:Driver’s accommodation and meals (negotiable AA split), personal expenses during the itinerary, and secondary consumption projects within scenic spots.
Service Guarantees:All vehicles are licensed tourist transport vehicles with drivers holding passenger transport qualifications and over 5 years of driving experience; study guides have geological and archaeological backgrounds; a detailed supply list and instructions will be provided before the itinerary.
Special Tips:In case of extreme weather or temporary closure of scenic spots, both parties can reasonably adjust the itinerary by mutual agreement. Subject to actual consultation and contracting.
🎒 Pre-Trip Preparation Checklist
Documents:Valid ID, student ID (children need household registration book)
Day 1: Gather in Urumqi · Geological Journey BeginsClothing:Windbreaker, quick-dry clothes, sun hat, hiking shoes (large temperature difference between day and night in mountainous areas)
Tools:Binoculars, magnifying glass, notebook, colored pencils
Medications:Motion sickness patches, gastrointestinal medicine, band-aids, mosquito repellent spray
Others:Thermos, folding stool, lightweight backpack
🌈 Study Achievements
Complete 3 major theme courses and receive a study certificate issued by Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency
Create a ‘geological specimen box’ containing mine crystals, rock art rubbings, and sediment samples
Master basic geological survey methods and learn to use tools such as compasses and pH paper
Gain an in-depth understanding of nomadic cultures of various ethnic groups and cultivate cross-cultural understanding
This itinerary integrates knowledge into landscapes, turning travel into a classroom. When children squat by the mine to observe mineral textures, when they hold binoculars to track migratory bird trails, when they record hydrological data of the Three Bays in the morning mist—these moments will become their most precious memories in growth. Contact Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency immediately to embark on this family journey intertwined with science and nature!
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation.
