Private Journeys · Western China
Xinjiang Grand Crossing: A Luxury Private Journey From Sayram Lake to Pamir Plateau · 14 Days
14-Day Private Journey: Sayram Lake, Kanas, Hemu & Pamir Plateau
From northern lakes and forests to the Pamir Plateau in the south, with three internal flights for a relaxed pace.
Why this route works
- 🚄✈️ Smart transport — high-speed rail + two flights + business van, the most efficient way to see North AND South Xinjiang in one trip:
- This route covers the full diversity of Xinjiang — from Sayram Lake's alpine beauty in the north to the Pamir Plateau's high-altitude drama in the south — connected by one high-speed rail and two smart flights that save thousands of kilometres of empty highway.
- Urumqi → Bole (high-speed rail, D3): Depart Urumqi in the morning by high-speed rail — about 4.5 hours to Bole station. A business van meets you at the station and drives you directly to Sayram Lake for your VIP lakeside tour. You arrive at the lake around midday, with the whole afternoon and evening to explore. Driving this route means 6 hours on a flat, empty Gobi highway — by the time you reach the lake, you're too tired to enjoy it.
- Yining → Altay (direct flight, D6): A morning direct flight from Yining to Altay — about 1.5 hours instead of 12 hours of winding mountain passes. A business van meets you at the airport, and you're in Altay by the afternoon, ready for the Kanas and Hemu section. The flight saves you a full day of mountain driving and nearly 1,000km of highway.
- Altay → Kashgar (direct flight, D10): A morning flight from Altay to Kashgar — about 2 hours instead of a 7-9 day drive across the Taklamakan Desert and mountain passes. A business van meets you at the airport, you check into your hotel in Kashgar, and by the next day you're exploring the Old City. Without this flight, more than half of your 14-day trip would be spent sitting in a vehicle crossing desert and mountains.
- Business van (all other days): Comfortable, flexible, and perfect for the cultural and high-altitude sections — Kashgar, the Pamir Plateau, Kanas, and Hemu.
- What all transport legs have in common: Depart in the morning, arrive by midday or afternoon, time free for sightseeing or rest. Your time is used at the destination — not wasted on a highway. No day is spent fully in a vehicle. No 8-hour bus rides.
- The result: 1 high-speed rail + 2 flights = roughly 2,000+ km of highway skipped. You experience Sayram Lake, the Ili grasslands, Kanas, Hemu, Kashgar, and the Pamir Plateau — all in one 14-day trip, without a single exhausting drive, covering the full diversity of Xinjiang from north to south.
- 🏨 Accommodation — 13 nights, all 4-5 diamond hotels plus Kanas and Hemu wooden cabins, with an oxygen-supply hotel at high altitude:
- Urumqi 4-5 diamond 2 nights (unpack once, D1, D2), Sayram Lake East Gate 4-5 diamond 1 night (D3), Yining 4-5 diamond 2 nights (unpack once, D4, D5), Altay 4-5 diamond 2 nights (unpack once, D6, D9), Hemu wooden cabin 1 night (D7), Kanas wooden cabin 1 night (D8), Kashgar 4-5 diamond 3 nights (unpack once, D10, D11, D13), Tashkurgan 5-diamond with oxygen supply 1 night (D12). Every night in a comfortable hotel or warm wooden cabin. With Urumqi 2 consecutive nights, Yining 2 consecutive nights, Altay 2 consecutive nights, and Kashgar 3 consecutive nights, you only repack 7 times in 14 days. The Tashkurgan 5-diamond hotel with oxygen supply is especially important at 3,100m elevation — you sleep comfortably on the Pamir Plateau.
- 🏜️ Scenic highlights — every stop earns its place:
- Tianchi Lake (D2): Heavenly Lake of the Tianshan — alpine lake at 1,900m, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. A gentle warm-up.
- Sayram Lake (D3-D4): Xinjiang's most beautiful alpine lake, full VIP loop — Swan Lake, Songshutou, Kelayongzhu. Stay at the East Gate hotel, enjoy sunset and sunrise over the lake. Two days to explore, no rushing.
- Kuerdunin or Nalati (D5): Choose between Kuerdunin's spruce forests or Nalati's rolling grasslands — both with VIP drive-in, no shuttle queues. Return to Yining in the evening, same hotel, no repacking.
- Hemu (D7): The famous wooden-house village at the foot of the Altay Mountains. Walk through the village, climb the viewing platform, and stay overnight in a warm wooden cabin. Wake up early for the morning mist and sunrise — one of the most iconic images of Northern Xinjiang.
- Kanas (D8): The Three Bays — Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay — turquoise water winding through the forest. Plus Kanas Lake itself, deep and mysterious. Sleep in a wooden cabin inside the scenic area.
- Kashgar (D10-D11): The living Silk Road city — the Old City labyrinth, the Id Kah Mosque, the Apak Hoja Mausoleum (Fragrant Concubine's Tomb), and the century-old teahouse. Two full days to explore at your own pace.
- Pamir Plateau (D12-D13): The Karakoram Highway, Muztagh Ata glacier (7,546m), Karakul Lake's mirror reflection, White Sand Lake's turquoise water, Dragon Road's 600 bends, and Bandir Blue Lake. Plus the Stone City ruins, Golden Grassland, and a Tajik family visit with eagle dance, milk tea, and hand-pulled rice. (If Dragon Road is closed, the itinerary automatically switches to the Stone City and Golden Grassland.) Overnight in Tashkurgan at a 5-diamond oxygen-supply hotel — comfortable at 3,100m.
Detailed itinerary
Private business vehicle pickup, check into a 4-5 star hotel in Urumqi.
Private vehicle to Heavenly Lake for sightseeing, then return to Urumqi for a 4-5 star hotel.
Private transfer to Urumqi station, high-speed train to Bortala. Private pickup then drive to Sayram Lake for VIP lakeside tour. Stay at a 4-5 star hotel near the east gate.
Private vehicle continues the lakeside tour in the morning, then drive to Yining in the afternoon. Check into a 4-5 star hotel in Yining.
Private vehicle to either Kuerdun or Nalati Grassland (choose one), VIP entry to see the spruce forests. Return to Yining for a 4-5 star hotel.
Free time in Yining, then private transfer to the airport for a direct flight to Altay. Upon arrival, private pickup and check into a 4-5 star hotel in Altay.
Private vehicle to Hemu Scenic Area. Overnight in a signature wooden cabin in Hemu.
Free morning in Hemu. Afternoon private vehicle to Kanas: visit the Three Bays and Kanas Lake. Overnight in a Kanas wooden cabin.
Free morning in Kanas. Afternoon private vehicle back to Altay for a 4-5 star hotel.
Private transfer to Altay airport for a direct flight to Kashgar. Upon arrival, private pickup and check into a 4-5 star hotel in Kashgar.
Private vehicle day tour: Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, Fragrant Concubine Park, and the century-old teahouse. Stay at a 5-star hotel in Kashgar.
Private vehicle to the Pamir Plateau: distant view of Muztagh Ata glacier, then Karakul Lake and Baisha Lake. Check into a 5-star hotel in Tashkurgan (oxygen supply included).
Private vehicle to Dragon Road. If road is closed, alternative visit to Stone Fort and Golden Grassland. Afternoon Tajik home visit (eagle dance, milk tea, hand-pulled rice). Return to Kashgar for a 5-star hotel.
Private vehicle transfer to Kashgar airport according to your flight. End of services.
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
- 24-hour exclusive airport & railway station pick-up and drop-off services are covered in Urumqi, Bole, Yining, Altay and Kashgar. High-speed EMU train tickets between Urumqi and Bole are included; flight tickets are arranged for Yining – Altay and Altay – Kashgar. Dedicated business car service is available throughout the entire itinerary.
- Accommodation
- Total 13 nights of accommodation in the trip:
- 2 nights at 4 or 5-diamond hotel in Urumqi,
- 1 night at 4 or 5-diamond hotel near the east gate of Sayram Lake,
- 2 nights at 4 or 5-diamond hotel in Yining,
- 2 nights at 4 or 5-diamond hotel in Altay,
- 1 night at wooden chalet in Hemu,
- 1 night at wooden chalet in Kanas,
- 3 nights at 4 or 5-diamond hotel in Kashgar,
- 1 night at 5-diamond hotel in Tashkurgan County.
- Attractions
- Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, Sayram Lake, Kuerdening, Narat, Hemu, Kanas, Three Bays of Kanas, Kanas Lake, Kashgar Ancient City, Id Kah Mosque, Fragrant Concubine Garden, Centennial Old Teahouse, Pamir Plateau, Muztagh Ata Peak, Karakul Lake, White Sand Lake, Panlong Ancient Road, Stone City, Golden Grassland.
- Tour Guide
- Professional driver-cum-tour guide to provide exclusive private service.
- Meals
- Daily breakfast is included at hotels;
- Insurance
- Comprehensive travel accident insurance covering 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).