How Much Does an 8 Day Altay Group Tour Cost Complete Guide to Kanas and Hemu Itinerary Recommended Routes Costs and Prices
Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation
Explore the Hidden Gems of Northern Xinjiang:Comprehensive 8-Day Deep Tour of Kanas and Hemu in Altay
[Itinerary Highlights:A Visual Feast Through All Four Seasons]
Located in northern Xinjiang, the Altay region is renowned as the “Snow Capital of China” and transforms into a summer paradise. This 8-day itinerary connects three premium landscapes: Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, and Koktokay, covering four major landforms: grasslands, forests, lakes, and canyons. With an average daily drive of under 3 hours, it’s ideal for photography enthusiasts and nature explorers. Special itinerary arrangements include:
Kanas Lake Morning Mist Photography:Arrive at Fairy Bay before 7:00 AM to capture the magical interplay of lake mist and spruce forests
Hemu Village Stargazing:Avoid light pollution and record银河 (Milky Way) trajectories with professional equipment at the Haden Platform
Koktokay Geological Exploration:Venture into Pit No. 3 to learn about the mining history of China’s rare metal deposits
Border Village Experience:Visit Baihaba Village with a permit to experience local folk customs
[Simple Itinerary:Key Daily Arrangements]
Day 1:Urumqi Assembly → Heavenly Lake of Tianshan
Morning:Transfer to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan after airport pickup; tour Sangong River Valley by shuttle bus
Afternoon:Ascend Maya Mountain for panoramic views of Bogda Peak; the 3,056-meter observation deck overlooks the entire lake
Accommodation:4-star hotel in Changji City (breakfast included)
Dining:Savor Xinjiang specialties like Big Plate Chicken and hand-grabbed mutton
Day 2:Changji → S21 Desert Expressway → Burqin
Drive Time:Approximately 6 hours through the Gurbantunggut Desert
Highlights:Brief stop at Urungu Lake’s Golden Coast to photograph desert-lake contrasts
Explore the Hidden Gems of Northern Xinjiang: Comprehensive 8-Day Deep Tour of Kanas and Hemu in AltayDinner:Sample grilled dogfish and kvass at Burqin Riverside Night Market
Accommodation:4-star hotel in Burqin
Day 3:Burqin → Kanas
Morning:3.5-hour drive to Kanas Scenic Area
Core Experiences:
Climb 1,068 steps to Guanyu Platform for panoramic lake views
Hike the Three Bays (Fairy Bay → Moon Bay → Crouching Dragon Bay), totaling ~8 km
Accommodation:Tuva wooden cabin inside Kanas Scenic Area (with floor heating)
Dining:Ethnic-style meals at on-site restaurants
Day 4:Kanas → Hemu
Morning:2-hour drive to Hemu Village
Immersive Experiences:
Horseback ride through birch forests to Beautiful Peak (~3 hours round trip)
Await sunrise and morning mist at Haden Platform (summer sunrise ~6:30 AM)
Accommodation:Boutique homestay in Hemu Village (newly renovated in 2026; free ethnic costumes for photos)
Special Note:Limited sound insulation; recommend rooms away from main roads
Day 5:Hemu → Devil City → Karamay
[Itinerary Highlights: A Visual Feast Through All Four Seasons]Morning:5-hour drive to the World Devil City
Highlights:
Sunset photography at Devil City (optimal time 20:30-21:30)
Visit Black Oil Mountain Geopark to learn about petroleum extraction history
Accommodation:5-star hotel in Karamay City
Dining:Try Karamay cold noodles and baked stuffed buns
Day 6:Karamay → Sayram Lake
Morning:5.5-hour drive to Sayram Lake
Enhanced Experiences:
Self-drive around the lake (new East Gate to South Gate route added in 2026)
Sailboat tour of Jianjiangtai waters to observe swans up close
Accommodation:RV campground at Sayram Lake (breakfast included)
Special Note:40 km/h speed limit on ring road; no random stopping
Day 7:Sayram Lake → Koktokay
Morning:6-hour drive to Koktokay National Geopark
Core Landscapes:
Zhongshan Granite Formations (warm golden hue under direct sunlight)
Located in northern Xinjiang, the Altay region is renowned as the “Snow Capital of China” and transforms into a summer paradise. This 8-day itinerary connects three premium landscapes: Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, and Koktokay, covering four major landforms: grasslands, forests, lakes, and canyons. With an average daily drive of under 3 hours, it’s ideal for photography enthusiasts and nature explorers. Special itinerary arrangements include: Hiking in the Irtysh River Grand Canyon (~5 km total)
Accommodation:Characteristic inn in Koktokay Town (3-minute walk to scenic area entrance)
Dining:Sample cold-water fish feast (dogfish, five-black, etc.)
Day 8:Koktokay → Urumqi Departure
Morning:Visit Pit No. 3 to learn about mining history
Afternoon:Return to Urumqi; airport transfer based on flight schedule
Special Note:Recommend booking return flights after 22:00
[Pricing Details:Transparent Consumption Reference]
Base Cost Breakdown (2026 Reference Prices):
Transportation:
7-seat business van:Peak season (Jun-Aug): 2,000 RMB/day (includes fuel, tolls, driver service)
15-seat minibus:Peak season: 2,500 RMB/day
Admission Tickets:
Kanas (single entry):185 RMB/person + shuttle bus 130 RMB
Hemu:60 RMB/person + ancient village maintenance 20 RMB + shuttle bus 100 RMB
Sayram Lake:70 RMB/person + self-drive ring fee 145 RMB/person
Kanas Lake Morning Mist Photography: Arrive at Fairy Bay before 7:00 AM to capture the magical interplay of lake mist and spruce forestsAccommodation Costs:
Budget:200-300 RMB/person/night (off-site budget hotels)
Comfort:400-600 RMB/person/night (on-site characteristic homestays)
Luxury:800-1,200 RMB/person/night (RV campgrounds/5-star hotels)
Dining Costs:
Group Meal Standard:50-80 RMB/person/meal
Recommended Specialties:Whole roast lamb (2,000-3,000 RMB/whole), hand-grabbed mutton (88 RMB/portion)
Total Cost Range:
Regular Large Group:5,800-7,200 RMB/person (includes round-trip transport, all accommodations, first admission tickets, 7 main meals)
Boutique Small Group:7,500-9,500 RMB/person (includes 4-diamond+ accommodations, 10 local special meals, dedicated guide, 2 special experiences)
Custom Semi-Independent Travel:Starting at 9,500 RMB/person (flexible selection of transport, accommodation tier, scenic spot combinations)
Special Note:
Prices may fluctuate by departure date; final price confirmed by contract
Shoulder season (Jun, Sep) accommodation prices reduced by 30%-50%
Low season (winter) prices recommended at 20%-40% of peak season
[Registration Methods & Service Guarantees]
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency; consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing for specific itinerary details
Hemu Village Stargazing: Avoid light pollution and record银河 (Milky Way) trajectories with professional equipment at the Haden PlatformService Descriptions:
Itinerary Changes:Reasonable modifications possible upon mutual agreement
Accommodation Arrangements:Single travelers will be coordinated for room-sharing; special cases require separate negotiation
Cost Inclusions:Meals, accommodations, first admission tickets, special train transport, local ground transport as specified in itinerary
Cost Exclusions:Personal expenses, optional self-funded activities, newly added personal expenses
[Travel Recommendations & Tips]
Document Preparation:
Valid identification required for all scenic areas and accommodations
Border area permits required in advance (apply online via “Immigration 12367” APP)
Equipment Suggestions:
Summer: Bring light down jacket, windbreaker (day-night temperature difference up to 15°C)
Sun Protection:SPF50+ sunscreen, face mask, wide-brimmed hat
Photography Gear:Tripod, polarizing filter, spare batteries
Special Reminders:
Weak signal in some mountain areas; recommend downloading offline maps in advance
Carry small amount of cash; mobile payments unavailable in some remote villages
Respect local ethnic customs; avoid stepping on thresholds when entering homes
This 8-day itinerary takes you through Northern Xinjiang’s four seasons, from desert highways to snowy lakes, grassland pastures to border villages, balancing deep experiences with reasonable rest. Specific itinerary details and costs are subject to the signed contract; consult Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency for recent departure dates and availability
Contact Manager Maizi at 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send itinerary and quotation
