2026Group Car Travel in Northern and Southern Xinjiang 2026 10 Day Essential Itinerary of Yili Grassland Loop Recommended Route, Cost and Price
Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation.
Explore the Hidden Gems of Xinjiang:2026 Shared Car Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: A 10-Day In-Depth Experience of the Ili Grassland Loop
【Detailed Introduction to the Itinerary or Destination】🌄
Xinjiang, a vast and boundless land, attracts countless travelers with its magnificent natural scenery and rich cultural heritage of various ethnic groups. In 2026, with the further improvement of transportation infrastructure, travel between northern and southern Xinjiang will become even more convenient. This recommended 10-day shared car tour of the Ili Grassland Loop will take you through the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains, allowing you to appreciate the deep blue of Sayram Lake, the vastness of Nalati Grassland, the three-dimensional beauty of Kalajun Grassland, and the thrill and grandeur of the Duku Highway. This classic route combines natural scenery, cultural history, and adventure experiences, making it ideal for travelers seeking in-depth and independent travel.
【Simple Itinerary】📅
Day 1:Gather in Urumqi
Arrive in Urumqi, where staff from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency will greet you at the airport and arrange accommodation at a hotel. Early arrivals are advised to visit the Xinjiang International Bazaar to experience local customs or visit the Xinjiang Museum (advance reservation required).
Day 2:Urumqi – Sayram Lake
Explore the Hidden Gems of Xinjiang: 2026 Shared Car Tour of Northern and Southern Xinjiang: A 10-Day In-Depth Experience of the Ili Grassland LoopAfter breakfast, travel by car to Sayram Lake, known as the “Last Tear of the Atlantic.” Enjoy magnificent natural scenery along the way. Upon arrival, take a tour around the lake, either by self-driving or taking the scenic area shuttle bus. In the evening, admire the sunset by the lake and stay at a hotel near Sayram Lake or return to Yining City for accommodation.
Day 3:Sayram Lake – Guozigou Bridge – Yizhao Highway – Zhaosu
In the morning, if staying within the Sayram Lake scenic area, you can photograph the Milky Way and morning mist. After breakfast, cross the Guozigou Bridge and head to the Yizhao Highway. The Yizhao Highway is renowned for its combination of steepness and beauty, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and forests complementing each other along the way. Upon arrival in Zhaosu, check into a hotel and enjoy free time to experience the local nightlife.
Day 4:Zhaosu – Xiata Ancient Path – Tekes
After breakfast, head to the Xiata Ancient Path, an important passage on the ancient Silk Road. Hike or ride a horse through the path to feel the awe-inspiring presence of the snow-capped mountains up close. In the afternoon, travel to Tekes to visit the Bagua City and experience its unique urban layout and cultural heritage.
Day 5:Tekes – Kalajun Grassland – Xinyuan
After breakfast, visit Kalajun Grassland, known as the “Three-Dimensional Grassland,” where the interplay of light and shadow creates a breathtakingly spectacular scene. Visit signature spots such as Crocodile Bay and Human Body Mountain. In the afternoon, travel to Xinyuan County and check into a hotel.
Day 6:Xinyuan – Nalati Alpine Grassland
【Detailed Introduction to the Itinerary or Destination】🌄After breakfast, head to Nalati Alpine Grassland, one of the world’s four major alpine grasslands, known for its vast expanse and wildflowers. Take a self-drive shuttle deep into the heart of the grassland, enjoy a grassland afternoon tea, and experience authentic grassland life.
Day 7:Nalati – Bayinbuluk
After breakfast, revisit Nalati Grassland or choose to ride a horse through it. In the afternoon, travel to Bayinbuluk to visit the famous Swan Lake and the Nine-Curve Eighteen-Bend, admiring the beautiful scenery at sunset in the evening.
Day 8:Bayinbuluk – Duku Highway – Kuitun
After breakfast, return to northern Xinjiang along the northern section of the Duku Highway, a scenic route known as “Four Seasons in One Day, Different Weather Every Ten Miles.” Along the way, enjoy snow-capped mountains, grasslands, forests, and canyons. Have lunch at a roadside restaurant and arrive in Kuitun in the evening to check into a hotel.
Day 9:Kuitun – Urumqi
After breakfast, return to Urumqi. On the way, you may choose to visit attractions such as Dushanzi Grand Canyon based on your interests. Upon arrival in Urumqi, check into a hotel and enjoy free time to prepare for your return journey the next day.
Xinjiang, a vast and boundless land, attracts countless travelers with its magnificent natural scenery and rich cultural heritage of various ethnic groups. In 2026, with the further improvement of transportation infrastructure, travel between northern and southern Xinjiang will become even more convenient. This recommended 10-day shared car tour of the Ili Grassland Loop will take you through the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains, allowing you to appreciate the deep blue of Sayram Lake, the vastness of Nalati Grassland, the three-dimensional beauty of Kalajun Grassland, and the thrill and grandeur of the Duku Highway. This classic route combines natural scenery, cultural history, and adventure experiences, making it ideal for travelers seeking in-depth and independent travel.Day 10:Urumqi Departure
After breakfast, staff from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency will escort you to the airport according to your flight schedule, concluding your pleasant journey to Ili.
【Price Information】💰
The price of the 2026 Ili Grassland Loop 10-day shared car tour varies depending on the season, accommodation standards, and service content. The per capita cost for an economy shared car group is approximately between 4000 and 5500 yuan, including accommodation throughout the trip (economy hotels or standard rooms), group meals, transportation by regular tourist bus, and admission tickets to major attractions. For a high-quality, no-consumption itinerary group, the per capita cost ranges from 6000 to 7000 yuan, offering more comfortable accommodation (such as four-diamond hotels or characteristic wooden houses), special dining, no-consumption itinerary without any arranged consumption experiences, and higher-end tourist vehicles (such as 7-seater business cars). Specific prices are subject to the tourism contract signed with Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and may fluctuate depending on the tour schedule.
【Registration Method】📝
You can register for this 10-day shared car tour of the Ili Grassland Loop through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Consult with Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing at Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency for detailed itinerary, price, and registration information.
【Fee and Service Information】📋
Fees Include:
【Simple Itinerary】📅Accommodation fees throughout the trip (specific standards determined by the selected tour type)
Meal fees throughout the trip (group meals or special meals, depending on the itinerary)
Transportation fees throughout the trip (including fuel, tolls, parking fees, etc.)
Admission tickets and shuttle bus fees for major attractions
Professional guide service fees
Fees Do Not Include:
Personal expenses (such as shopping, self-paid entertainment projects, etc.)
Day 1: Gather in Urumqi Optional entertainment project fees within the scenic area (such as horse riding, helicopter sightseeing, etc.)
Additional expenses due to force majeure factors (such as itinerary changes due to weather conditions)
Service Information:
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency provides a formal tourism contract to clarify the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
A professional guide is provided throughout the trip, familiar with local history, culture, and natural scenery, offering high-quality service.
Vehicles are disinfected daily and equipped with first aid kits, mineral water, and charging facilities to ensure a comfortable journey.
Drivers must hold a formal tourist passenger transport qualification certificate and are not allowed to leave their posts or recommend consumption during the itinerary.
Reasonable itinerary changes can be made by mutual agreement to cope with uncontrollable factors such as weather and road conditions.
Specific arrangements are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency will wholeheartedly provide you with an unforgettable trip to Xinjiang.
Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation.
