Overview

Days From/to Sightseeing Hotel
Day 1 Urumqi Arrival Pick you up and transfer to hotel Urumqi
Day 2 Urumqi-Jinghe Nuerjia Grand Canyon,S101 Scenic Road Jinghe
Day 3 Jinghe - Yining Sayram Lake,Exclusive Pasture Trail Yining
Day 4 Yining - Zhaosu Yizhao Highway,Xiata Valley Zhaosu
Day 5 Zhaosu - Kuerdening Kalajun Grassland,Backcountry Trail Kuerdening
Day 6 Kuerdening - Nalati Wilderness Power Line Trail Nalati
Day 7 Nalati - Tanbula Nalati Deep Drive (Dual Grasslands) Tanbula
Day 8 Tanbula - Yining Iconic Duku Highway Yinning
Day 9 Urumqi Departure - -


Highlights

S101 National Defense Highway & Red Canyons: Drive through the dramatic red-rock walls of Nuerjia Grand Canyon and trace the S101 highway, a rugged route running past the vibrant, multicolored rock layers of the Baili Danxia landforms.


Exclusive Sayram Lake Lakeside Caravan & Tea: Cruise directly along the shoreline of Sayram Lake with views of alpine water and snow peaks, followed by an exclusive, quiet lakeside afternoon tea away from the main tourist crowds.


The Hidden Off-Road Pasture Trail (Yining): Leave the standard highway behind on an unpaved, backcountry herder trail. This path winds through pristine, untouched grasslands dotted with traditional Kazakh yurts and grazing livestock.


The Dramatic Yizhao Highway & Xiatay Glaciers: Tackle the sharp switchbacks of the mountain-crossing Yizhao Highway, before taking a shuttle deep into the isolated Xiatay Valley to see raw glacier fields, ancient forests, and rugged valleys.


Kuerdening Wilderness Power Line Road: Traverse the unpaved "Power Line Road," an off-the-beaten-path route that cuts through dense wild spruce forests and isolated mountain villages, offering a true raw wilderness drive.


Kalajun Prairie: The scenery is vast and beautiful, and it is an excellent resort for sightseeing and photography. Kalajun was rated as a 5Alevel scenic spot in the country in 2016.


The Iconic Duku Highway & High Mountain Pass: Conquer "China's most beautiful road," experiencing four seasons in a single day. The drive includes stopping at the high-altitude Hashilegen Pass ($3,390\text{m}$) to stand beside year-round glaciers.


Itinerary

Close All

Day 1 Urumqi

Upon arrival, a dedicated private transfer will take you to the hotel.

  • If you drive yourself, proceed directly to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, feel free to explore and rest.

  • For those renting a car, staff will deliver the vehicle to the hotel between 19:00– 22:00. Please have your ID and relevant documents ready for a smooth rental process.


Accommodation: Universal Hotel Urumqi or equivalents

Day 2 Urumqi → Nuerjia Grand Canyon → Drone Shoot → S101 Scenic Road → Jinghe Distance/Time: ~500 km | Approx. 6.5 hours driving

  • 08:30–09:30 | Morning Briefing & Prep

    Meet at the hotel parking lot after breakfast. The tour leader will conduct vehicle inspections, apply group decals, distribute walkie-talkies, and hold a safety and route briefing.

  • 09:30–13:00 | Convoy to Nuerjia Grand Canyon

    Depart as a convoy toward the Nuerjia Grand Canyon. Enjoy a scenic drive through stunning red-rock canyons, with a professional photographer capturing drone footage of our convoy along the way.

  • 13:30–14:30 | Lunch Break

    Stop for lunch along the route (at own expense).

  • 14:30–17:30 | S101 National Defense Highway Drive

    Hit the road again along the S101 National Defense Highway. You will drive through the spectacular Baili Danxia landscape, surrounded by vibrant red mountains and unique geological formations.

  • 17:30–20:00 | Drive to Jinghe County

    Head toward Jinghe County to wrap up the day's drive.

  • 20:30–22:00 | Xinjiang Welcome Dinner & Check-in

    Unwind with a group dinner featuring authentic Xinjiang cuisine and local beer, followed by hotel check-in.


Accommodation: Rezen Hotel Jinghe or equivalents

Day 3 Jinghe → Sayram Lake → Lakeside Afternoon Tea → Guozigou – Exclusive Pasture Trail → Yining City Distance/Time: ~350km | Approx. 4.5 hours driving

  • 08:00–09:00 | Morning Briefing & Departure

    Gather for the morning briefing and vehicle checks before hitting the road toward Sayram Lake.

  • 09:00–12:00 | Sayram Lake Lakeside Drive

    Arrive at Sayram Lake and follow the lead vehicle along the scenic lakeside road. Take in the breathtaking views of deep blue waters, snow-capped mountains, and lush grasslands while our photographer captures drone footage of the convoy.

  • 12:00–13:00 | Lakeside Afternoon Tea

    Unwind with a relaxing, light afternoon tea right by the lakeshore.

  • 13:30–15:00 | Guozigou Bridge Photo Stop

    Head to the iconic Guozigou Bridge, stopping at a prime viewpoint to capture this Instagram-famous architectural marvel.

  • 15:00–17:00 | Exclusive Pasture Trail

    Escape the crowds on an exclusive off-the-beaten-path pasture trail. Drive through pristine grasslands dotted with grazing herds and traditional Kazakh yurts.

  • 17:00–19:30 | Drive to Yining City

    Conclude the day's drive as we head into Yining City.

  • 19:30–21:30 | Hotel Check-in & Free Time

    Check into the hotel and enjoy a free evening. We highly recommend exploring Liuxing (Six-Star) Street or the Kazanqi Folk Area to sample authentic local street food and culture.

Accommodation: Cloud Hotel Yining or equivalents

Day 4 Yining City → Yizhao Highway → Xiata Valley → Zhaosu Distance/Time: ~350 km | Approx. 4.5 hours driving

  • 08:30–09:30 | Morning Briefing & Prep

    Gather for the morning briefing and vehicle safety check before setting off.

  • 09:30–12:00 | Grassland Outdoor Hotpot

    Set up a unique outdoor hotpot feast surrounded by panoramic grassland views.

  • 12:30–15:00 | Yizhao Highway Convoy Drive

    Tackle the winding mountain switchbacks of the scenic Yizhao Highway, with a drone photographer capturing the convoy against snow mountains.

  • 15:30–18:30 | Xiatay Alpine Valley Exploration

    Arrive at Xiatay Scenic Area. Take the park shuttle bus deep into the valley to explore pristine pine forests, rushing rivers, and glacier vistas.

  • 18:30–19:30 | Drive to Zhaosu County

    Head back out of the valley and complete the drive to Zhaosu County for check-in.

  • 19:30–21:30 | Free Time & Local Dinner

    Enjoy a free evening for dinner. Sample regional specialties like Zhaosu horse meat or hand-grabbed mutton.

Accommodation: Pegasus Hotel or equivalents

Day 5 Zhaosu → Kalajun Grassland → Backcountry Trail → Kuerdening Distance/Time: ~260 km | Approx. 5.5 hours driving

  • 08:30–09:30 | Morning Briefing & Departure

    Meet for the daily briefing and vehicle check before driving toward Kalajun.

  • 09:30–12:00 | Kalajun 3D Grassland Drive

    Drive into the spectacular Kalajun Grassland (restricted to vehicles with 7 seats or fewer). Stop for stunning vistas at Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace.

  • 12:00–13:00 | Quick Lunch Break

    Enjoy a quick lunch along the way featuring local snacks or packed rations (selffunded).

  • 15:00–17:30 | Backcountry Secret Route

    Traverse a rugged, off-the-beaten-path secret route passing unhurried herds, wilderness streams, and isolated herder camps.

  • 17:30–19:30 | Drive to Kuerdening

    Conclude the day's drive as we head into Kuerdening to check in and unwind.

Accommodation: Bolin Hotel or equivalents

Day 6 Kuerdening Forest → Wilderness Power Line Trail → Nalati Town Distance/Time: ~220 km | Approx. 5.5 hours driving

  • 08:30–09:30 | Morning Briefing & Departure

    Gather for the morning briefing and vehicle inspection before heading into the park.

  • 09:30–13:00 | Kuerdening Spruce Forest Exploration

    Explore Kuerdening's famous ancient wild spruce forests, valleys, and rivers with plenty of photo stops.

  • 13:30–14:30 | Lunch Break

    Stop for lunch along the route (self-funded).

  • 14:30–17:30 | Power Line Trail Off-Roading

    Drive along a rugged pasture trail (the "Power Line Road"), experiencing raw backcountry terrain, remote villages, and mountain vistas.

  • 17:30–19:30 | Drive to Nalati Town Complete the drive and head to Nalati Town.

  • 20:00–22:30 | Kazakh Culture Night & Feast

    Immerse yourself in a live Kazakh wedding performance, a traditional lamb-holding photoshoot, a bonfire party, and an authentic Kazakh specialty dinner.

Accommodation: Nalati Shuimu Shangshan Meisu or equivalents

Day 7 Nalati Grasslands Deep Drive → Tangbula Distance/Time: ~150 km | Approx. 3.5 hours driving

  • 08:30–09:30 | Morning Briefing & Departure

    Meet for the morning safety briefing and vehicle check before entering Nalati.

  • 09:30–15:00 | Nalati Grassland Deep Drive

    Drive deep into Nalati's Sky Grassland and Valley Grassland. A professional photographer will capture the drive. Enjoy lunch in a traditional local yurt (selffunded).

  • 16:30–19:00 | Tangbula Baili Gallery Cruise

    Drive through the pristine Tangbula Baili Gallery—passing hot springs, snow peaks, and rivers—before exploring Tangbula's hidden meadow trails. Check into your hotel upon arrival.

Accommodation: Surprise Hotel or equivalents

Day 8 Tangbula Gallery → Iconic Duku Highway → Urumqi Distance/Time: ~450 km | Full-day drive (High mountain road conditions)

  • 08:00–09:00 | Mountain Safety Briefing

    Gather for a mandatory briefing on Duku Highway mountain driving safety rules and regulations.

  • 09:00–11:30 | Tangbula Morning Drive

    Enjoy a scenic morning drive through the rest of the Tangbula Gallery with final photo stops.

  • 12:30–15:30 | Duku Highway & High Mountain Pass

    Enter the iconic Duku Highway to experience "four seasons in one day." Stop at the high-altitude Hashilegen Pass (3,390m) to view year-round glaciers and snow walls.

  • 15:30–19:30 | Mountain Descent to Urumqi

    Navigate the dramatic mountain descent down toward the northern plains and return to Urumqi for hotel check-in.

  • 19:30+ | Free Evening in Urumqi

Accommodation: Universal Hotel Urumqi or equivalents

Day 9 Urumqi Departure

A private vehicle will transfer you to the airport or train station based on your departure schedule, bringing your tour to an official close.

Booking Price

Adult(Age:8-80) Price/p.p Child(Age:4-7) Price/p.p Infant(Age:0-3) Price/p.p
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Includes

  • Logistics & Support: A lead 4WD scout vehicle driven by a professional off-road tour leader, providing real-time navigation, mechanical assistance, and rescue support.

  • Photography: A professional drone photographer accompanying the convoy (Note: For groups of 7 participants or fewer, the tour leader will double as the photographer).

  • Lodging: 8 nights of twin-share accommodation. Single travelers can be paired up to waive the single supplement fee.

  • Tickets: Entry passes and self-drive vehicle permits for all listed attractions. (If a vehicle permit becomes unavailable due to park capacity limits, a park shuttle bus will be provided instead).

  • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 specialty dinner, 1 Kazakh cultural feast, 1 outdoor hotpot, and 1 lakeside tea experience.

  •    Insurance: Premium travel agency liability and personal accident insurance.


Excludes

  • Vehicle Costs: Rental fees, fuel, highway tolls, parking expenses, and traffic fines (for self-drive participants).

  • Personal Expenses: Optional park activities (such as horseback riding), laundry, minibar charges, alcoholic beverages, and any meals not explicitly included.

  • Delays & Disruptions: Any additional costs arising from force majeure events, such as flight cancellations, severe weather, or unexpected road closures.

  • Main Meals (Lunch & Dinner): All lunch and dinner expenses throughout the journey are excluded, allowing you the flexibility to explore local culinary delights at your own pace and preference.

Trip Notes

Booking Restrictions & Policy Notes

  • International & HK/Macau/Taiwan Passports: You must notify us before booking. Border entry permits and access are strictly subject to changing local security policies


  • Health & Safety: Due to long driving times, high altitudes, and remote terrain, this trip is not suitable for pregnant travelers or individuals outside standard age and health guidelines.


  • Weather & Route Changes: Mountain highways (Duku/Yizhao) can close unexpectedly due to rain, snow, or landslides. For your safety, the tour leader may modify the route sequence on the ground. Any ticket price differences caused by these changes will be settled on-site.



Quick Inquiry Tailoring is available based on your requirements.