Southern Xinjiang Wilderness Expedition | 10-Day Journey

NobleVoya · Less Road. More Xinjiang.

Southern Xinjiang Wilderness Expedition

南疆山野探索

10 days · Private journey

RV touring · Private MPV airport transfers

Follow the overland route from Urumqi to Kashgar by RV, with nights at Bosten Lake, Kuqa and Karakul Lake campsites. Combine poplar forests, Wensu Canyon and the Pamir lakes with hotel stays and an unhurried day in Kashgar.

Make this journey your own. We’ll confirm your stays, access and inclusions for your dates before you book.

RV touring · Private MPV airport transfers

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Time where it matters

An overland RV journey, with nights in the scenery.

Tarim Populus Euphratica Forest aerial view of desert poplar groves

Days 2–6

Lakes, poplar forests & canyon roads

Follow Bosten Lake’s shoreline road, visit the Tata and Luntai poplar forests, then continue through Kuqa and Wensu to Aksu and Kashgar. Alternate campsites with city hotels.

  1. Bosten LakeDay 2: approx. 2–3 hrs of sightseeing, then an RV campsite.
  2. Poplar forestsDay 3: Tata, approx. 3 hrs; Day 4: Luntai, approx. 3–4 hrs.
  3. WensuDay 5: approx. 3–4 hrs of sightseeing before Aksu.
RV camps
Bosten Lake · Kuqa
Karakul Lake Muztagh Ata Reflection in Autumn, Xinjiang

Days 7–9

Stay at Karakul Lake, wake to mountain views

Travel past Baisha Lake to Karakul Lake and spend a night at a highland RV campsite. The next day brings views of Muztagh Ata and another visit to Baisha Lake before Kashgar. Follow it with a free day in the Old City.

  1. Pamir lakesDay 7: approx. 4 hrs of sightseeing; overnight at Karakul Lake RV campsite.
  2. Mountain morningDay 8: Muztagh Ata views, then Kashgar in the afternoon.
  3. Old City lifeDay 9: independent exploration, with no vehicle service included.
Highland stay
Karakul Lake RV campsite · 1 night

Less Road. More Xinjiang.

Your journey, in five answers.

Who is this journey for?

For travellers who want to connect Southern Xinjiang’s landscapes by RV, are comfortable with longer road days, and enjoy a mix of campsites and hotels.

Why is this route different?

Follow the overland route from Urumqi to Kashgar by RV, with nights at Bosten Lake, Kuqa and Karakul Lake campsites. Combine poplar forests, Wensu Canyon and the Pamir lakes with hotel stays and an unhurried day in Kashgar.

How do transport and time fit together?

Days 2–8 · RVUrumqi → Kashgar → Pamirs → KashgarOverland touring with campsite and hotel nights
Days 1 & 10 · Private MPVAirport transfersApprox. 0.5–1 hr each
Day 9 · Free dayKashgar Old CityNo vehicle service included

TIME AT A GLANCE

Pamir lakes · Day 7

Transfers
Approx. 4–5 hrs by RV
Exploring
Approx. 4 hrs along the way
Overnight
Karakul Lake RV campsite
See the daily arrangements ↓

Where do you sleep?

Three RV campsite nights: one each at Bosten Lake, Kuqa and Karakul Lake. Six hotel nights: Urumqi 1, Korla 1, Aksu 1 and Kashgar 3.

What should you know before you go?

RV touring runs from Days 2–8. Days 1 and 10 use private MPV airport transfers; Day 9 is free with no vehicle included. Driving arrangements, vehicle access and campsite bookings are confirmed for your dates. The Day 5 Wensu stops are specified in your proposal.

Your itinerary, day by day

Routes, transport, time to explore and where you stay.

10 days · Detailed daily arrangements

Durations are approximate. Trains, flights, site access and activity times depend on your dates. Sightseeing and transfer windows may overlap and should not simply be added together. Transfers, stays and inclusions are confirmed before booking. RV camping uses permitted or designated sites; vehicle access, driving arrangements and campsite facilities are confirmed for your dates.

Day 01Arrival in Urumqi
Transport & connections
Private MPV airport pickup
Transfer time
Approx. 0.5–1 hour
Overnight
Urumqi hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Arrive in Urumqi independently. Your private airport transfer takes you to the hotel; spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your own pace.

Day 02Urumqi → Bosten Lake → Lakeside road
Transport & connections
RV road travel
Transfer time
Approx. 5.5–6.5 hours
Overnight
Bosten Lake RV campsite

Sightseeing & experience

Travel by RV from Urumqi to Bosten Lake. Follow the lakeside road and take in the broad lake views, with around 2–3 hours for sightseeing.

Day 03Bosten Lake → Tata Secret Poplar Forest → Korla
Transport & connections
RV road travel
Transfer time
Approx. 3.5–4.5 hours
Overnight
Korla hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Leave Bosten Lake by RV and explore Tata Secret Poplar Forest, allowing around 3 hours to see the desert poplars. Continue to Korla and check in.

Day 04Korla → Luntai Poplar Forest → Kuqa
Transport & connections
RV road travel
Transfer time
Approx. 4.5–5.5 hours
Overnight
Kuqa RV campsite

Sightseeing & experience

Travel by RV from Korla to Luntai’s Tarim Poplar Forest Park. Spend around 3–4 hours exploring the varied forms of the poplar woodland, then continue to Kuqa.

Day 05Kuqa → Wensu Grand Canyon → Aksu
Transport & connections
RV road travel
Transfer time
Approx. 4–5 hours
Overnight
Aksu hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Travel by RV from Kuqa towards Wensu Tianshan Sacred Tree Garden / Wensu Grand Canyon. Allow around 3–4 hours for the Wensu visits, including the canyon’s red-rock landscapes, then continue to Aksu. The exact combination of stops is confirmed for your travel dates.

Day 06Aksu → Kashgar → Kashgar Old City
Transport & connections
RV road travel
Transfer time
Approx. 5.5–6.5 hours
Overnight
Kashgar hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Travel by RV from Aksu to Kashgar. On arrival, explore the Old City for around 3 hours, experiencing Uyghur local traditions and architecture.

Day 07Kashgar → Pamir Plateau → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake
Transport & connections
RV road travel
Transfer time
Approx. 4–5 hours
Overnight
Karakul Lake RV campsite

Sightseeing & experience

Follow the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway into the Pamir Plateau by RV. Visit Baisha Lake, the white sand hills and Karakul Lake, allowing around 4 hours for sightseeing and photographs along the way.

Day 08Karakul Lake → Views of Muztagh Ata → Baisha Lake → Kashgar
Transport & connections
RV road travel
Transfer time
Approx. 4–5 hours
Overnight
Kashgar hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Wake to distant views of Muztagh Ata’s snow-covered mountain scenery, then return to Baisha Lake for another visit. Travel back to Kashgar by RV in the afternoon and continue exploring the Old City.

Day 09A slow day in Kashgar Old City
Transport & connections
Independent exploration; no vehicle included today
Transfer time
No vehicle transfers included; explore the Old City on foot
Overnight
Kashgar hotel

Sightseeing & experience

Enjoy a free day in Kashgar. The proposed morning starts with the Old City’s 10:00 opening ceremony, followed by tea and a local-style breakfast at the Hundred-Year-Old Teahouse. Take your time with the sights and everyday life of the historic streets.

Day 10Kashgar → Airport departure
Transport & connections
Private MPV airport transfer
Transfer time
Approx. 0.5–1 hour
Overnight
No overnight stay

Sightseeing & experience

Transfer to Kashgar airport according to your flight time, bringing your Southern Xinjiang RV journey to a close.

Get to know your journey.

Your journey starts with a conversation

Make this journey yours.

Share your dates, group size and favourite experiences. We’ll confirm transport, stays, activities and a personalised quote.

We’ll tailor the route to your available time. Before booking, review your written itinerary, inclusions, price and payment and cancellation terms.

More time. More Xinjiang.Plan my journey ↗