Day 1 – Arrival in Urumqi
Arrive in Urumqi, check into your hotel, and spend the day resting or purchasing supplies for the journey. In the evening, attend a pre-trip orientation meeting where your tour leader will explain the itinerary, gear recommendations, and key safety guidelines.
Overnight: Urumqi Boutique Hotel
Meals: —
Day 2 – Urumqi – S21 Desert Highway – Sea Devil City – Altay
Travel through the vast Gurbantunggut Desert along the scenic S21 Desert Highway. Visit Sea Devil City (Urho) to admire its dramatic coastal Yardang landforms. Continue driving north across open landscapes and arrive in Altay City by evening.
Overnight: Altay Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 – Altay – Ahe Highway – Hemu Village Hike
Drive along the picturesque Ahe Highway with stops at scenic mountain overlooks. Upon arrival in Hemu Village, embark on a 5-km light trek to Little Meili Peak and Xiaguang Terrace for sweeping, panoramic views of the wooden Tuva log cabins as dusk settles over the valley.
Overnight: Hemu Boutique Wooden Cabin / Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 – Hemu Sunrise – Kanas Lake – Fish Viewing Pavilion Hike
Wake up early to capture the legendary morning mist and sunrise over Hemu. Travel to Kanas Nature Reserve and climb up to the Fish Viewing Pavilion (Guanyu Ting) for a bird’s-eye view of turquoise Kanas Lake. Later, enjoy an 8-km trek along the lakeside forest boardwalk, visiting the ancient Tuluke Petroglyphs.
Overnight: Kanas Village Boutique Guesthouse
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 – Kanas Three Bays Hike – Steppe Stone City – Hoboksar
Enjoy a 5-km scenic trek connecting the famous three bays of Kanas: Immortal Bay, Moon Bay, and Dragon Bay. Afterward, drive to Steppe Stone City to explore its fascinating wind-eroded granite landforms before continuing to Hoboksar for your overnight stay.
Overnight: Hoboksar Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 – Hoboksar – Bashantaste Canyon – Little Poplar Sentinel Post – Alashankou
Explore the scenery of Bashantaste Canyon in the morning. Visit the historic Little Poplar Sentinel Post (Xiaobaiyang) on the frontier, taking in views of the national border line and Lake Alakol. Arrive in the border city of Alashankou by late afternoon.
Overnight: Alashankou Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 – Alashankou – Sayram Lake Ridge Hike – Qingshuihe
Drive around Sayram Lake, known as “The Last Tear of the Atlantic.” Embark on an 8-km mountain ridge hike to reach high viewpoints for sweeping 360-degree panoramas of the alpine lake and nearby Guozigou Canyon. Continue to Qingshuihe Town for check-in.
Overnight: Qingshuihe Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 – Qingshuihe – Nalati Sky Grassland Forest Hike
Head to the world-famous Nalati Grassland and visit Tianjiatai and Tianmutai viewing points. Enjoy a 5-km light trek through grassland forests and mountain streams, immersing yourself in the boundless landscapes of the river valley pastures.
Overnight: Nalati Town Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 – Nalati – Bayanbulak Grassland Swan Lake Sunset
Cross Aiken Daban Pass to reach Bayanbulak Grassland, China’s second-largest grassland. Visit Swan Lake to watch wetland waterbirds and take a gentle grassland walk, waiting at the viewing terrace to catch the iconic Nine-Bends and Eighteen-Turns river loop sunset.
Overnight: Bayin Town Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 – Bayin Town – Duku Highway North Section – Urumqi
Take in the wetland views of Little Swan Lake before crossing Chahan Nu’er Daban Pass. Drive back toward Urumqi along scenic mountain highways and Tianshan Tunnels, checking into your hotel in the evening.
Overnight: Urumqi Boutique Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 – Urumqi Departure
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) or Urumqi Railway Station according to your flight or train schedule. End of your Northern Xinjiang light trekking tour.
Meals: Breakfast
