202612 Day Private Car Tour in Northern and Southern Xinjiang with Driver Expenses Guide to Flexible Stops at Nalati and Taklimakan Recommended Itinerary Costs and Prices

Contact Manager Wang Fei at phone number 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation

Road Trip Under the Stars and Moon:2026 12-Day Customized Vehicle Tour Guide for In-Depth Exploration of Northern and Southern Xinjiang
[Route Highlights:A Dual Symphony of Nature and Culture]
This 12-day loop route traversing northern and southern Tianshan Mountains starts from Urumqi, connecting the aerial flower fields of Nalati Grassland, the vast solitude of the Taklimakan Desert Highway, and the millennium-old hustle and bustle of Kashgar Old Town. The itinerary design breaks away from traditional group tour models, adopting a flexible arrangement of “must-visit core attractions + spontaneous stops along the way,” covering high-quality landscapes such as Kanas and Sayram Lake while preserving the possibility of unexpected surprises like visiting local yurts and encountering naturally occurring animals.
I. Core Experiences of the Route
Pastoral Serenade on the Grassland:In the aerial grassland area of Nalati Grassland from late May to mid-June, golden lotus and primrose bloom competitively. You can follow locals to learn milking cows and making milk curds.
Desert Epic:When crossing the Taklimakan Desert Highway, a special 2-hour stop is arranged in Tazhong Town to visit the Desert Petroleum Base Museum and trace the governance脉络 (I translated this as “veins” to convey the idea of the desert’s “circulatory system” or “management structure”) of China’s largest mobile desert.
Rebirth of the Ancient City:At the 11:00 AM daily city-opening ceremony of Kashgar Old Town, you can dance with artisans from various ethnic groups and experience intangible cultural heritage techniques such as pottery making and copper forging.
Geological Wonders:The Danxia landform cluster in Wensu Grand Canyon offers professional outdoor guides for hiking, revealing well-preserved ancient rock art groups within the canyon.
II. Daily Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1:Gathering in Urumqi
Key Points:Shop for dried fruit souvenirs at the International Bazaar and overlook the city panorama from Red Hill Park
Tips:Recommended to stay at hotels in the Youhao Business District for easy early departure the next day
Days 2-3:Urumqi → Sayram Lake → Yining
Mileage:Approximately 550 km / 7 hours

Road Trip Under the Stars and Moon: 2026 12-Day Customized Vehicle Tour Guide for In-Depth Exploration of Northern and Southern XinjiangHighlights:Self-driving around Sayram Lake (customized vehicle driver can accompany with explanations), stop at the aerial photography spot of the Guozigou Bridge
Accommodation:Featured homestay in Yining’s Six-Star Street, experiencing Russian-style architecture
Days 4-5:Yining → Nalati Grassland → Bayanbulak
Mileage:Approximately 360 km / 6 hours
Special Arrangements:
In-depth horseback riding tour of Nalati Grassland (3-hour professional horse team accompaniment)
Sunset photography guidance at Bayanbulak’s Nine Bends of Eighteen Turns (long-focus lens rental available)
Day 6:Bayanbulak → Kuqa
Mileage:Approximately 260 km / 5 hours
Key Points:Cross the southern section of the Duoku Highway, stopping at the Large and Small Dragon Pools for scenic views
Tips:Bring a thin down jacket as temperatures drop sharply in mountainous areas
Days 7-8:Kuqa → Aksu → Kashgar
Mileage:Approximately 720 km / 9 hours (completed over two days)
Cultural Experiences:

[Route Highlights: A Dual Symphony of Nature and Culture]Listen to Friday’s chanting at Kuqa Grand Mosque for a folk experience
After Kashgar Old Town’s city-opening ceremony, participate in in-depth explorations of professional bazaars (Hat Bazaar, Woodware Bazaar)
Days 9-10:Kashgar → Taxkorgan → Wensu Loop Road
Mileage:Approximately 300 km / 6 hours
Recommended Documents:Obtain a border pass in advance (travel agency can assist)
Altitude Acclimatization:
Taxkorgan sits at 3,100 meters above sea level; avoid strenuous exercise on the first day
Special arrangement for professional explanations at the Shitoucheng Ruins
Day 11:Taxkorgan → Taklimakan Desert Highway
Mileage:Approximately 520 km / 8 hours
Desert Survival Experience:
Learn to use GPS locators
Participate in desert tree-planting public welfare activities (travel agency donates poplar seedlings on your behalf)
Day 12:Desert Highway → Korla → Urumqi

This 12-day loop route traversing northern and southern Tianshan Mountains starts from Urumqi, connecting the aerial flower fields of Nalati Grassland, the vast solitude of the Taklimakan Desert Highway, and the millennium-old hustle and bustle of Kashgar Old Town. The itinerary design breaks away from traditional group tour models, adopting a flexible arrangement of “must-visit core attractions + spontaneous stops along the way,” covering high-quality landscapes such as Kanas and Sayram Lake while preserving the possibility of unexpected surprises like visiting local yurts and encountering naturally occurring animals.Mileage:Approximately 800 km / 10 hours
Return Surprise:Stop in Toksun County to taste authentic lagman (a Xinjiang intangible cultural heritage dish)
III. Comprehensive Cost Analysis
Basic Customized Vehicle Cost (12-day price including specified items in the itinerary)
7-seater business vehicle (4-6 people):18,000-24,000 yuan
14-seater minibus (8-12 people):28,000-35,000 yuan
Cost Includes:
Vehicle usage fee, driver labor, fuel cost, toll fees
Carrier liability insurance (coverage of 5 million yuan), seat insurance (500,000 yuan per seat)
Basic emergency tools (snow chains, tow ropes,车载充气泵 (I kept this as is since it’s a specific tool name: vehicle-mounted air pump))
Flexible Expense Items
Scenic spot tickets:Approximately 1,200-1,500 yuan per person (including shuttle buses)
Special Experiences:
Horseback riding in Nalati:280 yuan / 3 hours

I. Core Experiences of the RouteDesert off-road vehicle:600 yuan per vehicle (4 people sharing)
Travel photography in Kashgar Old Town:899 yuan per set (including makeup and styling)
Catering Costs:80-150 yuan per person per day (recommended social restaurants for free choice)
Seasonal Fluctuation Notes
Prices increase by 20%-30% during peak season (June-August)
Standard prices apply during shoulder season (September-October)
20% discount available during off-season (November-April, some scenic spots closed)
IV. Service Guarantee System
Professional Team Configuration
Driver Qualifications:Over 5 years of driving experience in Xinjiang road conditions, regular training participation
Vehicle Standards:
7-seaters equipped with aviation seats and vehicle-mounted refrigerators
Minibuses installed with USB charging ports and air conditioning
28-item inspections conducted before each day’s itinerary

Pastoral Serenade on the Grassland: In the aerial grassland area of Nalati Grassland from late May to mid-June, golden lotus and primrose bloom competitively. You can follow locals to learn milking cows and making milk curds.Emergency Response Mechanism
24-hour customer service hotline (consult Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency)
Backup vehicle deployment:Arrive at the location within 3 hours
Medical support:Green channel cooperation with hospitals (Urumqi, Kashgar, Korla)
V. Registration Instructions
Booking Process
Phone consultation explanation:Travel party size, budget range, special needs (e.g., photography guide, elderly care)
Sign electronic contract:Clarify vehicle model, itinerary, cost breakdown, liability for breach of contract
Pay deposit:30% of total cost (remaining balance settled 7 days before departure)
Group Formation Notes
4 people required to form a group (7-seater vehicle); insufficient numbers require coordinated group joining
Single registrants will be coordinated for shared rooms as much as possible; special cases require room difference supplement
Itinerary changes:In case of extreme weather or road closures, both parties negotiate to optimize the route
[Special Reminder]
Nalati Scenic Area currently implements a real-name reservation system with a daily limit of 12,000 visitors. It is recommended to reserve 3 days in advance through the “One Phone for Traveling in Xinjiang” platform. Drone flights are prohibited in Taxkorgan area; equipment must be reported in Kashgar for filing procedures. All costs and service details are subject to the final signed travel contract; prices may change dynamically based on market supply and demand.
Consultation Channel:You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, where Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing will customize an exclusive plan based on your needs. Let us measure the land with wheels, collect time with lenses, and embark on this magnificent journey with no turning back.

Contact Manager Wang Fei at 18095969599 or WeChat 18095969599 to send itinerary and quotation