2026 Southern and Northern Xinjiang Milky Way 12 Day Photography Group Tour Tolehaite Meadow Light Pollution Free Starry Sky Shooting Group Price Registration Recommended Itinerary Price

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at phone number 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation

Stars in Dreams: A 12-Day In-Depth Starry Sky Photography Tour of Northern and Southern XinjiangExplore the Light Pollution-Free Secret Realm of Tuolehaite Meadow
✨ [Itinerary Highlights:A Double Feast of Professional Starry Sky Photography and Natural Scenery]
The newly upgraded 12-day photography tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang in 2026 focuses on ‘capturing the Milky Way’s trajectory’ and connects six light pollution-free photography locations, including Tuolehaite Meadow in Northern Xinjiang, the Three Bays of Kanas, the Sairimu Lake Ring Lake Viewing Platform, and Baisha Lake on the Pamir Plateau in Southern Xinjiang. The itinerary features three exclusive experiences:
Tuolehaite Meadow Starry Sky Camp:A newly opened dark sky reserve in 2026, located at an altitude of 2,800 meters with no urban light sources within a 50-kilometer radius. Equipped with professional astronomical telescopes and equatorial mounts, it allows for capturing magical scenes of the Milky Way arch intertwined with morning mist.
Morning Mist Photography at the Three Bays of Kanas:Arrive at Xian Bay by shuttle bus at 5 a.m., use a tripod to stabilize the camera, and capture the ‘Tyndall effect’ of sunlight piercing through tree canopies with snow-capped mountain reflections in the morning mist.
Starry Sky Classroom on the Pamir Plateau:Led by professional astronomy instructors, learn star trail stacking techniques at the foot of Muztagh Ata, using a 200mm or longer telephoto lens to capture details of the Orion Nebula.
The itinerary covers four major landscapes: snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, and deserts, with daily travel time limited to 3 hours, leaving 6 hours for photography and creation. The tour is equipped with Canon 5D4 cameras + 24-70mm lenses for experience, provides RAW format original photo download services, and includes 9 selected photos with professional retouching as gifts.
📅 [Simple Itinerary:12 Days of Immersive Starry Sky Creation]
Day 1-2:Urumqi Gathering: Dark Sky Protection Knowledge Preparation
Free activities in Urumqi city, recommended to visit the Xinjiang Museum’s ‘Bride’ Mummy Exhibition
The special train departs at 9 p.m., with a starry sky dining car projecting the Altai Milky Way on the dome and offering Xinjiang-style tea breaks
Day 3:Gateway to Northern Xinjiang: Initial Starry Sky Experience in Burqin
Arrive in Burqin in the morning, travel 2 hours by car to enter Tuolehaite Meadow
Set up professional astronomical observation equipment in the afternoon and learn to use star tracker equatorial mounts
Photograph the Milky Way rising at night, with hot drinks and cold-weather blankets provided
Day 4-5:Secret Realm of Kanas: Morning Mist and Starry Sky at the Three Bays

Stars in Dreams: A 12-Day In-Depth Starry Sky Photography Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: Explore the Light Pollution-Free Secret Realm of Tuolehaite MeadowPhotograph morning mist at Xian Bay at 5:30 a.m., using graduated neutral density filters to balance light ratios
Take a cruise ship during the day to observe areas where ‘lake monsters’ have been sighted, and stay overnight in a Tuvan wooden house to experience fireplace culture
Photograph the starry sky reflection on Kanas Lake at 2 a.m. the next day, using a soft light fill lamp to instantly illuminate the foreground
Day 6-7:Sairimu Lake Ring Lake: 360° Viewing Platform Creation
Exclusive cycling time around the lake, focusing on photographing the ‘Blue Tears’ lake surface reflections
Photograph the sunset over the golden mountains at the Commanding Platform in the evening, using a telephoto lens to compress the sense of space
Stay overnight in a lakeside starry sky tent at night, photographing the Milky Way and the light trails of the ring lake road
Day 8-9:Ili Valley: Starry Sky Camping on the Nalati Grassland
Participate in the Naadam Festival of various ethnic groups, photographing riders’ silhouettes against the starry sky
Set up tents at the grassland camp at night and use drones to photograph star trail time-lapse photography
Professional instructors guide post-processing, teaching StarStaX stacking techniques
Day 10-11:Pamir Plateau: Advanced Starry Sky Photography at Baisha Lake
Obtain border passes and inspect the Muztagh Ata Glacier
Use polarizing filters to eliminate lake surface reflections in the Baisha Lake reflection photography area
Create Milky Way arch compositions at night, with wide-angle lens rental services available
Day 12:Return Day: Cultural Conclusion in Urumqi

✨[Itinerary Highlights: A Double Feast of Professional Starry Sky Photography and Natural Scenery]Free activities at the International Bazaar to purchase handicrafts from various ethnic groups
The special train returns at 8 p.m., with a mobile cinema screening the documentary ‘Silk Road’ on loop
💰 [Price Explanation:Transparent Pricing System]
Basic tour fee reference (June 2026 departure):
Four-person soft sleeper compartment (shared restroom):Starting from 16,800 yuan per person
Two-person soft sleeper compartment (shared restroom):Starting from 19,800 yuan per person
Two-person flat sleeper compartment (private restroom):Starting from 24,800 yuan per person
Fees Include:
Accommodation in the corresponding compartment type on the special train (including luggage storage services)
Ground transportation four-star/four-diamond standard hotels (2 nights upgraded to five-diamond)
13 breakfasts and 24 main meals (including special meals such as Turpan fruit feasts and roast whole lamb)
First admission tickets and shuttle bus fees for scenic spots within the itinerary
Professional photography guide services (daily photography guidance)
Travel accident insurance and medical first aid kits
Complimentary ethnic flower hats, scarves, photography backpacks, etc.
Fees Do Not Include:
Round-trip transportation costs from your departure location to Urumqi

The newly upgraded 12-day photography tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang in 2026 focuses on ‘capturing the Milky Way’s trajectory’ and connects six light pollution-free photography locations, including Tuolehaite Meadow in Northern Xinjiang, the Three Bays of Kanas, the Sairimu Lake Ring Lake Viewing Platform, and Baisha Lake on the Pamir Plateau in Southern Xinjiang. The itinerary features three exclusive experiences: Self-paid experience items marked in the itinerary (e.g., Kanas helicopter tour at 1,200 yuan per person)
Personal expenses (e.g., laundry, beverages in hotels)
Prices may fluctuate depending on the departure date, subject to the contract or confirmation on the day. Child price (under 6 years old): 5,999 yuan per person (no berth), 6-12 years old enjoy a 30% discount on adult prices (berth difference to be supplemented). Single travelers will do their best to coordinate shared rooms, with special circumstances requiring separate negotiation on price.
📞 [Registration Method:Professional Service Guarantees]
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, and Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing will provide you with:
Real-time availability inquiries and departure date suggestions
Personalized itinerary change consultations
Assistance with border pass applications
Signing of a unified electronic contract from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
📋 [Fee Explanation and Service Standards]
Transportation Arrangements:
Use of a newly purchased 15-seat Ford Transit commercial vehicle in 2026, with a maximum capacity of 12 people per vehicle
The special train’s nighttime speed is controlled between 80-100 kilometers per hour, equipped with oxygen supplementation devices
Daily vehicle inspections before departure, equipped with first aid kits and car chargers
Accommodation Standards:
Urumqi:Four-star hotel (including breakfast)

Tuolehaite Meadow Starry Sky Camp: A newly opened dark sky reserve in 2026, located at an altitude of 2,800 meters with no urban light sources within a 50-kilometer radius. Equipped with professional astronomical telescopes and equatorial mounts, it allows for capturing magical scenes of the Milky Way arch intertwined with morning mist.Tuolehaite Meadow:Starry sky tents (electric blankets and moisture-proof mats provided)
Kanas:Tuvan wooden houses (fireplace culture experience)
Pamir Plateau:High-end homestays (with viewing terraces)
Dining Guarantees:
Use of formal dining establishments throughout the trip, with 48-hour food samples retained
Vegetarian meal options available (please notify in advance)
Daily supply of mineral water (2 bottles per person per day)
Photography Services:
On-tour provision of basic equipment rental services such as tripods and filters
Experience with Canon 5D4 cameras + 24-70mm lenses
Complimentary professional retouching of 9 selected photos and a travel souvenir album
🌠 [Pre-Trip Preparation Guide]
Documents:
Original valid identification (children require household registration books)
Border passes (assisted by the travel agency after registration)
Discount documents (student IDs/senior citizen IDs/military officer IDs, etc.)

Morning Mist Photography at the Three Bays of Kanas: Arrive at Xian Bay by shuttle bus at 5 a.m., use a tripod to stabilize the camera, and capture the ‘Tyndall effect’ of sunlight piercing through tree canopies with snow-capped mountain reflections in the morning mist.Clothing and Equipment:
June-August:Windbreaker + quick-drying clothes + sun protection clothing
September-October:Thin down jacket + thermal underwear
Recommended:Sunglasses, sun hats, high-SPF sunscreen
Electronic Devices:
Cameras:Recommended to carry 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses
Memory cards:Recommended to prepare 256GB or larger capacity
Power banks:No more than 20,000mAh
Cultural Etiquette:
Obtain consent before photographing people from various ethnic groups
Table manners:Break naan into pieces to eat, do not cut with a knife
Remove shoes when visiting, avoid loud noises
⚠ ⚠️[Notes]
In case of force majeure factors (e.g., extreme weather, railway maintenance), both parties may agree to change the itinerary or reschedule the trip
A pass is required for the Pamir Plateau section, please provide valid identification information in advance
Nighttime temperatures at Tuolehaite Meadow can reach 0°C, be sure to bring warm clothing
Subject to actual consultation and contract signing, all service terms are included in the travel contract
This mobile feast crossing the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains will take you to see the best scenery of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, deserts, and lakes in 12 days. When the Milky Way spans Tuolehaite Meadow, when morning mist envelops the cooking smoke at the Three Bays of Kanas, and when Muztagh Ata reflects on the surface of Baisha Lake, you will understand: true travel begins when you put down your hurried footsteps. Now consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency to start your Western Regions starry sky creation journey!

Contact Manager Zhang Jing at 18139622233 or WeChat 18139622233 to send itinerary and quotation