Cost Quotation for Package Tours and Chartered Cars for Whole Area Travel in Yining Ili and Recommended Itinerary Prices
Contact Manager Yang Jia at phone number 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation
A Dreamy Grassland Where Stars and Moon Intertwine:2026 Yili Yining Comprehensive In-Depth Travel Custom Vehicle Rental Complete Guide
[Route Highlights and Destination Details]
May in the Yili River Valley marks the early bloom of lavender. This oasis, embraced by the Tianshan Mountains, is renowned for its blend of gentle beauty and vastness, earning it the nickname “Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall.” Recent data from 2026 shows that Yining, as the capital of Yili Prefecture, has become a golden hub connecting Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Kalajun Flower Sea, and the Xiata Ancient Path.
✦ Secret Realm Around Sayram Lake:Daily visitor limits remain in effect, requiring advance reservations through the “One Phone for Xinjiang Travel” platform. The newly added “Blue Ice Eye” viewpoint in 2026 offers close-up views of the ice bubble spectacle formed by glacial melt. Self-driving around the lake requires a 145 RMB/person ticket, with a recommended 4 hours to capture light changes at different times.
✦ New Ways to Experience Nalati Grassland:The aerial grassland route now includes a “Local Family Visit” experience, allowing tourists to participate in traditional activities like milking cows and making nang (flatbread). Driving into the Panlong Ancient Path requires an additional 300 RMB/vehicle fee but avoids peak tour group times.
✦ Upgraded Kalajun Comprehensive Tour:The combined ticket for East and West Kalajun is now 275 RMB/person, covering the Flower Terrace, Falcon Terrace, and Kokesu Grand Canyon areas. Starting May 2026, the scenic area offers night tours after 18:00 daily for overnight guests to view the grassland starry sky and marmots returning to their burrows.
✦ New Regulations for Xiata Ancient Path Hiking:The hiking trail now extends 2 km north of General Bridge, but glacier viewpoints open based on daily weather conditions. Windproof masks are recommended, as winds can reach force 7-8 during May snowmelt from snow-capped mountains.
[Classic 7-Day, 6-Night Itinerary]
Day 1: Gather in Yining
Afternoon:Kazhanqi Folk Tourism Area: Ride a hexagonal carriage through traditional dwellings of various ethnic groups
Dinner:Handmade ice cream with baked stuffed buns, recommended at the century-old “Gulandam” shop
Overnight:Characteristic homestay in Yining’s Six-Star Street
Day 2: Yining – Sayram Lake (320km/4.5h)
Morning:Cross the Guozigou Bridge, photographing the “S”-shaped highway framed by snow-capped mountains at the viewpoint
A Dreamy Grassland Where Stars and Moon Intertwine: 2026 Yili Yining Comprehensive In-Depth Travel Custom Vehicle Rental Complete GuideAfternoon:Cycle around the lake (electric-assist bikes provided), with key stops at Jiangtai Platform and Kele Yongzhu
Dinner:High white salmon feast, recommended at the lakeside restaurant near Jiangtai Platform
Overnight:Sayram Lake RV campground
Day 3: Sayram Lake – Huocheng (150km/2.5h)
Morning:Jieyou Princess Lavender Farm (peaks in late June)
Afternoon:Visit the General’s Mansion in Huiyuan Ancient City to learn about Yili’s military history
Dinner:Xibe ethnic cuisine, experience making “Xibe pancakes”
Overnight:Characteristic homestay in Si’gong Village, Huocheng
Day 4: Huocheng – Kalajun (220km/3.5h)
Morning:Hike Falcon Terrace in Kalajun Grassland, encounter ethnic eagle trainers
Afternoon:Photograph the “Human Body Grassland” in Kokesu Grand Canyon, optimal shooting time 17:00-19:00
Dinner:Grassland stone pot chicken with naturally grown dandelion tea
Overnight:Theme hotel in Tekes Bagua City
Day 5: Kalajun – Xiata (180km/3h)
Morning:Light hike on the Xiata Ancient Path, carry trekking poles for gravel sections
[Route Highlights and Destination Details]Afternoon:Muzart Glacier viewpoint, wear non-slip hiking boots
Dinner:Ethnic hand-grabbed meat with baersake (fried dough)
Overnight:Yurt inside Xiata scenic area (advance reservation required)
Day 6: Xiata – Nalati (280km/4h)
Morning:Cross the Qiapuqihai Reservoir, photographing snow-capped mountain reflections along the way
Afternoon:Self-drive Nalati’s aerial grassland, with key stops at Nomadic Family and Heavenly Terrace
Dinner:Grassland barbecue party with bonfire and dombra (stringed instrument) performance
Overnight:Resort hotel in Nalati Town
Day 7: Nalati – Yining (260km/3.5h)
Morning:Visit the Yili River Valley National Agricultural Science Park to learn about lavender essential oil extraction
Afternoon:Depart from Yining Airport, recommend flights after 17:00
[2026 Custom Vehicle Rental Cost Reference]
▶ Vehicle Options and Daily Rates (including driver, fuel, tolls)
5-seat SUV (Toyota RAV4):900-1200 RMB/day (suitable for 2-4 people)
7-seat business van (Buick GL8):1100-1500 RMB/day (suitable for 4-6 people)
May in the Yili River Valley marks the early bloom of lavender. This oasis, embraced by the Tianshan Mountains, is renowned for its blend of gentle beauty and vastness, earning it the nickname “Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall.” Recent data from 2026 shows that Yining, as the capital of Yili Prefecture, has become a golden hub connecting Sayram Lake, Nalati Grassland, Kalajun Flower Sea, and the Xiata Ancient Path.14-seat minibus (Ford Transit):1300-1800 RMB/day (suitable for 8-12 people)
19-seat Coaster:1600-2200 RMB/day (suitable for 12-18 people)
▶ Included Costs
Vehicle usage, driver service, basic insurance, tolls within Yili region
Complimentary car charger, first aid kit, mineral water
▶ Self-Pay Items
Driver meal allowance:Recommended 80 RMB/day/person (or group meal arranged by travel agency)
Cross-county accommodation subsidy:150 RMB/night (for itineraries involving Zhaosu, Nilka counties)
Scenic area admission and shuttle fees (see details below)
▶ Seasonal Adjustments
Peak season (June-August, National Day):Prices increase 20%-30%
Shoulder season (May, late September-mid October):Standard pricing
Low season (November-April):Prices decrease 15%-20%
[Real-Time Scenic Area Admission Information]
▶ Core Attraction Fees (2026 prices)
✦ Secret Realm Around Sayram Lake: Daily visitor limits remain in effect, requiring advance reservations through the “One Phone for Xinjiang Travel” platform. The newly added “Blue Ice Eye” viewpoint in 2026 offers close-up views of the ice bubble spectacle formed by glacial melt. Self-driving around the lake requires a 145 RMB/person ticket, with a recommended 4 hours to capture light changes at different times.Sayram Lake:145 RMB/person (includes lake circuit ticket)
Nalati Grassland:135 RMB/person (aerial grassland route)
Kalajun Comprehensive Tour:275 RMB/person
Xiata Ancient Path:80 RMB/person (includes first shuttle segment)
Huocheng Lavender Garden:30 RMB/person
Jieyou Princess Lavender Farm:60 RMB/person
▶ Discounts
Seniors over 65, children under 1.2m, active military personnel receive 50% off with ID
Holders of “Xinjiang Tourism Annual Pass” receive partial ticket discounts
[Registration and Consultation Methods]
Plan your itinerary through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Customer service manager Zhang Jing will provide 3 options based on group size, travel dates, and accommodation preferences. Recommend booking vehicles 15 days in advance, with 30% deposit required during peak season to secure resources.
[Cost Explanation and Service Commitments]
▶ Cost Breakdown
Total cost = custom vehicle fee + admission fees + accommodation + meals + other personal expenses
Custom vehicle fee:Calculated by actual rental days, with excess mileage (default 300km/day) charged at 2 RMB/km
✦ New Ways to Experience Nalati Grassland: The aerial grassland route now includes a “Local Family Visit” experience, allowing tourists to participate in traditional activities like milking cows and making nang (flatbread). Driving into the Panlong Ancient Path requires an additional 300 RMB/vehicle fee but avoids peak tour group times.Accommodation fees:Comfort hotel standard room ~300-500 RMB/night, characteristic homestay ~400-800 RMB/night
Meal fees:Group meal standard 60-100 RMB/person/meal, specialty meals priced separately
▶ Service Standards
Vehicles:Registered after 2024, with mandatory 20-minute rest every 4 hours
Drivers:Minimum 5 years’ experience driving Yili routes, familiar with basic phrases in ethnic languages
Insurance:Includes travel agency liability insurance, recommend purchasing personal travel accident insurance
▶ Special Notes
In case of extreme weather, road closures, or other force majeure, both parties will negotiate itinerary changes
Single travelers will be matched for shared rooms when possible; single supplement required otherwise
All cost details subject to the electronic contract signed by both parties
[Pre-Trip Recommended Checklist]
▶ Documents:Valid ID, driver’s license (if self-driving), permits (required for Xiata, Khorgos)
▶ Clothing:Windbreaker, sun protection clothing, quick-dry pants, hiking boots, sun hat
▶ Medications:Motion sickness pills, gastrointestinal medicine, antihistamines, altitude sickness medication
▶ Others:Moisturizing skincare, sunglasses, power bank, thermos
When May lavender purples the foothills of Tianshan, when spruce forests in Nalati turn emerald green, this land welcomes travelers in its most abundant posture. Choosing custom vehicle free travel isn’t just selecting a transportation method—it preserves poetic serendipity for the journey: encountering ethnic livestock relocations around a corner, meeting marmot families on a meadow. These unexpected joys are the most touching footnotes of Yili travel.
Contact Manager Yang Jia at 13325559266 or WeChat 13325559266 to send itinerary and quotation
