Back to routes

Northern Xinjiang Classic Journey: A Private Expedition Through Kanas & Duku Highway · 12 Days

12-Day Private Journey: Kanas, Ili Grasslands & Duku Highway

‹›

VIP access to Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake and Nalati, plus Duku Highway – the ultimate northern & central Xinjiang loop.

Why this route works

• 🚄✈️ Smart transport — one flight + business van, covering three regions in one seamless loop:​
• This route is designed as a complete Northern Xinjiang loop — starting in Altay, ending in Urumqi — connected by one smart flight that saves you from the single most exhausting drive in the region.
• Altay → Yining (direct flight, D5):​ A morning direct flight from Altay to Yining — about 1.5 hours instead of 12+ hours of winding mountain passes. A business van meets you at the airport, and by the afternoon you're already walking through Yining's colorful Six-Star Street, tasting local food. The flight saves you a full day of mountain driving. Without it, you'd spend an entire day crossing the Tianshan mountain range — beautiful scenery, but exhausting.
• The remaining days are all short business-van drives between scenic spots — the longest single stretch is about 3-4 hours. The Duku Highway day (D9) is a scenic drive itself, with multiple stops at Qiao'erma and Dushanzi Grand Canyon, not a boring highway grind. The Turpan day (D11) is a round trip with VIP access to the Kumtag Desert — the van drives you right into the scenic core. No day is spent fully in a vehicle with nothing to see. No 8-hour bus rides.
• The result:​ 1 flight = roughly 800km of mountain highway skipped. In one 12-day loop, you experience Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake, Nalati, the Duku Highway, Tianchi Lake, and the Turpan desert — three distinct regions of Northern Xinjiang, without a single exhausting drive.
• ​🏨 Accommodation — 11 nights, mostly 5-diamond hotels plus Kanas and Hemu log cabins:​
• Altay 5-diamond 2 nights (unpack once, D1, D4), Kanas log cabin 1 night (D2), Hemu log cabin 1 night (D3), Yining 5-diamond 2 nights (unpack once, D5, D6), Nalati Town 4-diamond 2 nights (unpack once, D7, D8), Urumqi 5-diamond 3 nights (unpack once, D9, D10, D11). Three accommodation types — 5-diamond hotels for luxurious rest in the cities, 4-diamond hotels in Nalati Town, and log cabins for sleeping inside the Kanas and Hemu scenic areas. With Altay 2 consecutive nights, Yining 2 consecutive nights, Nalati 2 consecutive nights, and Urumqi 3 consecutive nights, you only repack 5 times in 12 days. Most nights are 5-diamond — the highest standard of comfort.
• ​🏜️ Scenic highlights — every stop earns its place:​
• Kanas (D2-D3):​ Kanas Lake, the Fish Viewing Platform for a panoramic view, and the Three Bays — Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay — turquoise water winding through the forest. Sleep in a log cabin inside the scenic area.
• Hemu (D3-D4):​ The famous wooden-house village at the foot of the Altay Mountains. Sleep in, enjoy the morning mist and sunrise from the viewing platform, then free exploration. Afternoon visit to Rainbow Beach — colourful rock formations along the Irtysh River.
• Sayram Lake (D6):​ Xinjiang's most beautiful alpine lake, full VIP loop — Swan Lake, Songshutou, Kelayongzhu. Return to Yining in the evening, same hotel, no repacking.
• Nalati (D7-D8):​ Two full days inside Nalati — one day for the River Valley Meadow, the next day for the Sky Meadow. Both with VIP drive-in, no shuttle queues. This is the most in-depth way to experience Nalati.
• Duku Highway (D9):​ The legendary Tianshan crossing — drive the northern section with stops at Qiao'erma and the Dushanzi Grand Canyon. The road itself is the destination.
• Tianchi Lake (D10):​ Heavenly Lake of the Tianshan — alpine lake at 1,900m, surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
• Turpan (D11):​ A full day exploring the desert and oasis — VIP access to the Kumtag Desert, the Tuyugou Grand Canyon, the Flaming Mountains, and the Grape Valley. Three distinct landscapes in one day, connected by short van rides.

Detailed itinerary

Pricing logic

The final quote depends on travel dates, group size, domestic flights, hotel level, vehicle type and route feasibility. The sales team will confirm all inclusions before payment.

Usually included

• Transportation
• Exclusive 24-hour airport pick-up and drop-off services in Altay, Yining and Urumqi are provided. Flight ticket from Altay to Yining is included. Dedicated business vehicle is available for the entire trip.
• Accommodation
• 11 nights’ accommodation in total:2 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Altay;1 night at wooden chalet in Kanas;1 night at wooden chalet inside Hemu Scenic Area;2 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Yining;2 nights at a 4-diamond hotel in Narat Town;3 nights at a 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi.
• Scenic Spots
• Kanas, Fish-Watching Platform, Kanas Lake, Three Bays of Kanas, Hemu, Colorful Beach, Liuxing Street, Sayram Lake, Narat Grassland, Duku Highway, Qiaerma, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, Kumtag Desert, Tuyugou Grand Canyon, Flaming Mountain, Grape Valley
• Tour Guide
• Professional driver-cum-tour guide provides exclusive private tour service.
• Meals
• Daily breakfast at hotels included;
• Insurance
• Comprehensive full-trip travel accident insurance is included for the whole journey.

Usually excluded

• Transportation:
• Round-trip international/domestic airfare.
• Accommodation:
• Single room supplement; personal expenses (e.g., laundry, minibar).
• Attractions:
• Optional activities; attractions not included in the itinerary.
• Guide Tips:
• Gratuities for the guide (optional).
• Meals:
• Lunches and dinners during the tour.
• Insurance:
• Additional personal insurance (supplemental coverage).