2026 Departing from Urumqi 10 Day Private Car Rental in Altay S21 Desert Highway Border Ancient Village Vehicle Price Online Registration Recommended Itinerary Price
Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation
The mysterious northern Xinjiang where deserts and snowfields intertwine:2026 Urumqi to Altay 10-Day In-Depth Customized Car Tour
[Route Highlights:A Visual Feast Through Three Major Landscapes]
This self-drive route spanning the Junggar Basin will take you from a modern city to pristine nature,串联 (Note: “串联” is translated as part of the following sentence for coherence) along the way with five major scenic belts of desert, gobi, snow-capped mountains, forests, and lakes. The itinerary specially plans three core experiences: traversing the S21 Desert Highway, visiting ancient villages along the Sino-Russian border, and trekking through the mysterious Kanas Lake, combining traditional ethnic villages with geological wonders to create a travel plan that integrates both cultural and natural depth.
S21 Desert Highway:A Moving Viewing Gallery
This transportation artery, fully opened in 2023, shortens the travel time from Urumqi to Altay from 8 hours to 5 hours. There are 12 viewing platforms set up on both sides of the highway where you can stop and take photos at any time:
The Gurbantunggut Desert in the morning mist
The shifting dunes’ play of light and shadow at noon
The silhouette of yardang landforms at dusk
Encounters with naturally occurring animals at night (Mongolian gazelles, foxes)
Ancient Border Villages:Living Cultural Museums
The itinerary goes deep into Habahe County to visit three distinctive villages:
Baihaba Village:Rated as the “No.1 Village in Northwest China” by Chinese National Geography, its wooden Tuvan houses built from logs are scattered at the foot of snow-capped mountains. A permit is required for entry
Hemu Village:The morning mist, wooden houses’ cooking smoke, and birch forests form an ink-wash painting. You can experience making traditional fur skis
Jimunai Port Village:A century-old trade port site preserving Russian-style architecture and old sites of ethnic trading firms
Kanas Lake:Geological Wonders and Ecological Classroom
In addition to the classic Three Bays trek (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay), special arrangements include:
The mysterious northern Xinjiang where deserts and snowfields intertwine: 2026 Urumqi to Altay 10-Day In-Depth Customized Car TourTaking a boat to visit the lake’s heart island and observe the rare Hucho taimen (big red fish)
Climbing the Guanyutai Observation Deck to overlook the lake’s color-changing wonder (a gradient of blue and green with the light)
Participating in a protected area scientific lecture to learn about snow leopard monitoring projects
[Simple Itinerary Arrangement]
Days 1-2:Urumqi Cultural Acclimation Period
City Exploration:Xinjiang Museum (to see mummies), International Bazaar (to buy dried fruit souvenirs)
Adaptive Changes:Arrange a light hike in Hongshan Park according to team members’ physical conditions
Special Experience:Night tour of Erdaoqiao Ethnic Food Street to taste baked buns, hand-grabbed rice, and kvass
Day 3:Traversing the S21 Desert Highway
08:00 Depart from Urumqi, stopping at 3 viewing platforms along the way
13:00 Lunch in Fuhai County (recommended: cold-water fish banquet)
15:00 Play at the Golden Coast of Ulungur Lake
19:00 Arrive in Burqin County, night tour of Wucaitan to see yardang sunset
Days 4-5:In-Depth Kanas Tour
Obtain a full-day scenic area pass and stay in wooden houses within the scenic area
Trekking Route:Jiadengyu – Camel Neck Bay – Mountain Ash Valley (about 12 kilometers)
[Route Highlights: A Visual Feast Through Three Major Landscapes]Night Activity:Starry sky photography lesson (a tripod is required)
Day 6:Baihaba Border Day
Obtain a permit (valid identification is required)
Visit the Sino-Kazakh border canyon and overlook Kazakh villages
Experience traditional Tuvan archery and throat singing performances
Day 7:Slow Life in Hemu Village
Morning mist photography (recommended to arrive at the viewing platform before 06:00)
Participate in making traditional ethnic dairy products
Horseback riding through the birch forest (about 2 hours)
Day 8:Exploring Jimunai Port
Visit the Century-Old Port Site Park
Visit workshops of old ethnic craftsmen (copperware, leather carving)
Taste border-specific Russian-style meals (borscht, stewed beef in a pot)
Day 9:Flexible Arrangement on Return Day
Choose according to team members’ interests:
Option A:Photography of the Devil City’s danxia landforms
This self-drive route spanning the Junggar Basin will take you from a modern city to pristine nature,串联 (Note: “串联” is translated as part of the following sentence for coherence) along the way with five major scenic belts of desert, gobi, snow-capped mountains, forests, and lakes. The itinerary specially plans three core experiences: traversing the S21 Desert Highway, visiting ancient villages along the Sino-Russian border, and trekking through the mysterious Kanas Lake, combining traditional ethnic villages with geological wonders to create a travel plan that integrates both cultural and natural depth.Option B:Karamay Petroleum Industry Tour
Option C:Kuitun Grand Canyon Hike
Day 10:Urumqi Return Preparation
Free activities (recommended to buy specialties such as wolfberries and snow chrysanthemums)
Drop-off at the airport/train station before 18:00
[Price Description (Reference for 2026)]
Basic Customized Car Package (10 days and 9 nights):
5-seat SUV:8,800 yuan/car (limited to 4 people)
7-seat commercial vehicle:11,800 yuan/car (limited to 6 people)
Fees Include:Vehicle usage fee, fuel fee, toll fee, driver service fee
Mandatory Self-Paid Items:
Scenic area tickets:Kanas + Hemu + Baihaba combined ticket 480 yuan/person
Permit processing:20 yuan/person
Guanyutai electric cart:120 yuan/person
Optional Upgrade Services:
Professional photography guide:800 yuan/day
S21 Desert Highway: A Moving Viewing GalleryStarry sky tent experience:500 yuan/night/tent
Customized special meals:150-300 yuan/person/meal
Tip:Prices may fluctuate with the season. The specific price is subject to actual consultation and contract signing. Groups of more than 6 people can enjoy a 5% discount and need to confirm the itinerary 30 days in advance.
[Registration Method]
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency by providing the following information for online registration:
Number of travelers and age distribution
Special dietary requirements
Photography equipment list (if special vehicle modifications are required)
Identification information required for permit processing
[Fee and Service Description]
Services Include:
Experienced bilingual driver (Chinese + basic communication in various ethnic languages)
On-board first aid kit and emergency supplies
Daily itinerary dynamic change service
24-hour emergency contact channel
Fees Do Not Include:
This transportation artery, fully opened in 2023, shortens the travel time from Urumqi to Altay from 8 hours to 5 hours. There are 12 viewing platforms set up on both sides of the highway where you can stop and take photos at any time:Personal consumption (shopping, entertainment, etc.)
Additional fees caused by force majeure factors
Driver’s meal and accommodation allowance (recommended to pay 150 yuan/day)
Special Note:
For single registrants, we will try our best to arrange room-sharing. Special circumstances require separate negotiation
In case of extreme weather or policy changes, both parties can reasonably change the itinerary by mutual agreement
The specific service content is subject to the contract signed by both parties
[Pre-Trip Recommended Guide]
Documents:Valid identification, permit (can be processed on your behalf), driver’s license (if self-driving section is required)
Clothing:Windbreaker, fleece pants, waterproof hiking boots, sun protection mask
Medications:High altitude pills (to prevent mild altitude sickness), gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness patches
Electronic Devices:Spare camera battery, car charger, offline map
[Seasonal Limited Tips]
April-May:See desert wildflowers and Kanas ice melt
June-August:Peak summer season for avoiding the heat. Reservations need to be made 2 months in advance
September-October:Prime autumn foliage period. It is recommended to choose the itinerary in mid-September
November-March:Possible heavy snow traffic control. Snow chains are required
If you want to know the real-time available seats or customize an itinerary, please contact Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. All itinerary details are subject to recently verified information. We promise not to use any historical data or subjective speculative content to create a compliant and in-depth northern Xinjiang travel experience for you.
Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation
