Kanas Starry Sky 6 Day Chartered Car Hemu Wilderness Light Pollution Free Milky Way Photography Chartered Car Price Recommendation Recommended Itinerary Cost
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
Galaxy as the Curtain, Wilderness as the Seat – 6-Day In-Depth Starry Sky Photography Tour to Kanas and Hemu in 2026
【Key Highlights of the Itinerary】
✨ Popular destinations for galaxy observation:Haden Viewing Platform and Meilifeng Pasture in Hemu Village have been selected as “Dark Sky Observation Sites” by the Xinjiang Cultural and Tourism Department. The core of the summer Milky Way rises around 2 a.m., with a light pollution level of 1-2, allowing the Milky Way arch to be visible to the naked eye.
✨ Dual landscape experience:Witness the blue ice season of Kanas Lake (December-February) alongside its emerald green lake in summer, and capture the natural frame formed by the birch forests and snow-capped mountain reflections in Hemu Village.
✨ Professional photography support:Accompanied by an astronomy instructor, with equatorial mount rental services available and guidance on star trail photography techniques.
【Daily Itinerary Planning】
▌Day 1:Urumqi → Kanas (approximately 8 hours by car)
08:00 Gather at Urumqi Diwopu Airport and depart in a 7-seat commercial vehicle
12:30 Have a simple meal at the Junggar Basin service area (recommended: noodles with stir-fried toppings + baked stuffed buns)
15:00 Traverse the Gurbantunggut Desert and observe the xerophytic plant communities
18:30 Arrive at the Jiadengyu Transfer Center and transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus
19:30 Check into a wooden cabin homestay within the Kanas Scenic Area and experience the Tuvan underfloor heating system
21:00 Starry Sky Class at Guanyu Platform:The instructor explains how to identify the Summer Triangle
Galaxy as the Curtain, Wilderness as the Seat – 6-Day In-Depth Starry Sky Photography Tour to Kanas and Hemu in 2026▌Day 2:In-depth exploration of Kanas Lake
06:00 Photograph the morning mist at Xian Bay (recommended to bring a 70-200mm telephoto lens)
09:00 Take a boat tour of Kanas Lake and visit the rock paintings on Lake Heart Island
12:30 Dine at an ecological restaurant within the scenic area (recommended: three ways to prepare cold-water fish)
14:30 Hike the wooden plank path of the Three Bays (approximately 3.2 kilometers from Moon Bay to Wolong Bay)
19:00 Return to the homestay to rest and adjust photography equipment
22:30 Practical starry sky photography session:The instructor guides on focusing and exposure parameter settings
▌Day 3:Kanas → Hemu Village (approximately 1.5 hours by car)
08:00 Check out and head to Hemu Village
09:30 Pass through the Ahe Highway (recommended for vehicles under 7 seats) and photograph the snow-capped mountains and canyons
11:00 Arrive at the Hemu Ticket Station and transfer to the shuttle bus
12:30 Check into a river-view wooden cabin homestay and experience traditional clay hot pot
15:00 Explore Meilifeng Pasture on horseback (approximately 3 kilometers one way)
【Key Highlights of the Itinerary】19:30 Photograph the sunset at Hemu Bridge and capture the silhouette of the birch forest
22:00 Starry sky photography at Hemu River:Use the suspension bridge as the foreground to photograph the Milky Way
▌Day 4:Creative day in Hemu Village
05:30 Photograph the morning mist at Haden Viewing Platform (recommended to bring a tripod)
09:00 Visit the Tuvan Cultural Museum and experience the making of traditional fur skis
12:00 Lunch at the homestay (recommended: dried meat with noodles)
14:00 Free creative time:Recommended: photograph the light and shadow of the birch forest and document the village’s humanities
19:00 Bonfire party (weather permitting) and photograph the star trail stacking effect
22:30 Advanced starry sky photography:The instructor guides on stack noise reduction processing
▌Day 5:Hemu → Burqin (approximately 3 hours by car)
08:00 Check out and head to Burqin County
11:30 Pass through the五彩滩 (Wucaitan) Scenic Area and photograph the sunset over the yardang landform
14:00 Free activities at the Burqin River Embankment Night Market (recommended: grilled dogfish + kvass)
✨ Popular destinations for galaxy observation: Haden Viewing Platform and Meilifeng Pasture in Hemu Village have been selected as “Dark Sky Observation Sites” by the Xinjiang Cultural and Tourism Department. The core of the summer Milky Way rises around 2 a.m., with a light pollution level of 1-2, allowing the Milky Way arch to be visible to the naked eye.16:00 Check into a hotel in the county town and check the device’s storage space
19:30 Starry sky photography work sharing session, with the instructor reviewing the day’s works
▌Day 6:Burqin → Urumqi (approximately 8 hours by car)
08:00 Return after breakfast and visit the Xinjiang Agricultural Products Exhibition and Sales Center along the way
12:00 Lunch at the Kela Meili service area (recommended: big plate chicken + tandoor-cooked meat)
16:00 Arrive at Urumqi Diwopu Airport and conclude the itinerary
【Explanation of the Fee System】
Reference for basic fees (small group of 6 people):
▶ Transportation fees:The customized vehicle fee for a 7-seat commercial vehicle is approximately 1500-1700 yuan/day (including fuel and toll fees)
▶ Accommodation fees:Approximately 600 yuan/room/night for a wooden cabin homestay in Kanas, and approximately 500 yuan/room/night for a river-view wooden cabin in Hemu
▶ Ticket fees:230 yuan/person for the Kanas Scenic Area (including shuttle bus), and 102 yuan/person for Hemu Village
▶ Catering fees:The team meal standard is approximately 70-80 yuan/person/meal, with special meals calculated separately
▶ Professional services:The astronomy instructor’s service fee is approximately 800 yuan/day (shared by the team)
✨ Dual landscape experience: Witness the blue ice season of Kanas Lake (December-February) alongside its emerald green lake in summer, and capture the natural frame formed by the birch forests and snow-capped mountain reflections in Hemu Village.Explanation of fee fluctuations:
▶ Prices increase by 20%-30% during the peak season from July to August
▶ The equatorial mount rental fee is approximately 200 yuan/day
▶ Single travelers need to make up the difference (consult customer service for the specific amount)
【Service Guarantee System】
▶ Vehicle configuration:New vehicles within 3 years are selected, with each seat covered by a 2 million yuan seat insurance policy
▶ Photography support:Provide a starry sky photography parameter manual and free warm baby patches and power banks
▶ Emergency support:The vehicle is equipped with a first aid kit, satellite phone, and cold-proof blanket
▶ Flexible services:In case of extreme weather, both parties negotiate to change the photography location or itinerary order
【Registration Instructions】
You can register through the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and need to provide the following information:
1. Valid identification numbers of the participants (for purchasing insurance)
2. A list of photography equipment (the instructor will provide targeted guidance based on this)
✨ Professional photography support: Accompanied by an astronomy instructor, with equatorial mount rental services available and guidance on star trail photography techniques.3. Special dietary needs (/vegetarian, etc.)
4. Expected flight information for arrival in Urumqi
【Pre-departure Preparation Checklist】
▶ Documentation:Valid identification, membership certificate of the Photographers Association (if any)
▶ Clothing:Windbreaker, fleece pants, waterproof hiking boots, wool socks
▶ Equipment:Camera, wide-angle lens (14-24mm preferred), tripod, spare batteries
▶ Consumables:Sunscreen SPF50+, moisturizing lip balm, mosquito repellent spray, headlamp
▶ Others:Thermal water bottle, folding chair, offline map (recommended to download the Ovi Interactive Map)
【Special Reminders】
▶ The Kanas Scenic Area has a daily limit of 8000 visitors and requires real-name reservation through the “Kanas Smart Tourism” platform 3 days in advance
▶ The Ahe Highway is recommended for passenger vehicles under 7 seats, with daily passage from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
▶ The nighttime temperature in Hemu Village may drop below 5℃, so it is recommended to bring a -10℃ sleeping bag
▶ The optimal time for starry sky photography is 3 days before and after the new moon, so it is recommended to avoid traveling during the full moon period
(The specific itinerary arrangement, fee details, and service standards are subject to the contract signed by both parties. Prices may fluctuate depending on the travel period. For details, consult the customer service manager Zhang Jing of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.)
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quotation
