【Luxury Edition: Double Lake Winter Retreat 9 Days】Urumqi + Altay + Baxaba + Kanas + Hemu

Luxury Edition: Double Lake Winter Retreat 9 Days | Urumqi, Altay, Baihaba, Kanas, Hemu. A 9-day North Xinjiang loop connecting the snowy border village of Baihaba with Kanas and Hemu, culminating in a visit to Sayram Lake's blue ice. Ideal for travelers seeking an immersive stay in a snow village and skiing experiences. The itinerary covers Urumqi, Altay, Baihaba, Kanas, and Hemu over 9 days and 8 nights.

Highlights

• Desert Highway: Drive along S21 Desert Highway, crossing the Gurbantunggut Desert. Stop at Kelameili Sand Dune Park to experience the vastness of Northern Xinjiang.
• Sunset Cable CarRide the cable car up Mount Cheng to catch the sunset, join the rooftop sunset party and EDM dance session, then wait for blue hour.
• Baihaba Snow VillageVenture deep into Baihaba Village via the China-Kazakhstan Grand Canyon, visit the Lonesome Tree, and experience the serene vastness of the border snowlands.
• Snow Village InnStay 2 nights in Hemu Scenic Area and 1 night in Kanas Scenic Area to minimize travel time, with morning views of rising smoke, snow-covered villages, and sunrise.
• Kanas Three BaysTour Kanas Lake, Immortal Bay, Sleeping Dragon Bay, and Crescent Bay. Enjoy snow mushrooms, rime ice, and the blue river bend.
• Jikepul SkiingBook a 4-hour beginner skiing experience at Ski Jeepin, including skis and boots. Perfect for newbies to enjoy powder snow.
• Tea by the LakeGather around a tea stove by Lake Sayram, watching the blue ice and snow-capped mountains on the lake surface, letting the winter chill melt away in the fire's warmth.
• Cerulean Ice of Sayram LakeDrive around Lake Sayram, ride UTVs on the snow, and view ice bubbles, blue ice, and sunlit golden peaks.
• Snowy Travel Photography: Free Hemu light photography tour package includes 6 professionally retouched photos and all original images. Scarves, capes, and other photo props provided.
• Hotel UpgradeStay at 4Citi 5 Diamond for first and last nights, and 4 Diamond in Altay, Karamay, or the East Gate of Sayram Lake to balance comfort and location.

Trip Overview

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 · Departure to Urumqi (Airport Pickup)

Accommodation: Urumqi Ctrip 5-star

Upon arrival, the driver will pick you up and transfer you to a city hotel for check-in. Afterward, enjoy free time. Private vehicle use is not included separately.

You may visit the International Grand Bazaar Night Market, Hongshan Park, or the Autonomous Region Museum at your own expense.

Daily ReminderXinjiang has significant temperature differences between day and night; please dress accordingly. There are many checkpoints, so carry your ID card and mobile phone with you. Xinjiang is about two hours behind mainland China in time; please adjust your schedule as soon as possible.

Day 2: Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Kelameili Sand Mountain Park → General Mountain Sunset Cable Car → Sunset Party → Disco Party (subject to scenic area availability) → General Mountain Night Skiing (optional, at your own expense) → Altay

DiningBreakfast included; lunch and dinner at your own expense.

Accommodation: Altay Ctrip 4 Diamond

08:00-09:00 Breakfast at the hotel. The driver arrives on schedule to pick up guests in order.

09:00-12:00 Head north along Desert Highway S21 and visit Kelameili Sand Mountain Park.

13:00-18:30 Travel to Altay. After checking into the hotel, head to General Mountain and take the sunset cable car to the summit.

18:30-20:00 Sunset awaits at the summit. Join the sunset party and dance club; night skiing is optional at your own expense.

20:00-20:30 Return to Altay city center hotel for check-in, then rest.

Daily Reminder: The day's journey is long; please bring snacks, water, and motion sickness medication. Strong winds and low temperatures at the summit—bring a windproof jacket and hat. Sunset cable car and sunset party activities are subject to park operating hours. Early winter ice is thin; do not play on the water surface.

Day 3 · Altay — G19 Highway — China-Kazakhstan Grand Canyon — Baihaba (Stunning S-Curve) — Kanas

DiningBreakfast included; lunch and dinner at your own expense.

AccommodationKanas Standard Room with Private Bathroom

08:00-09:00 Enjoy free breakfast at Altay Hotel and carefully check your luggage and personal belongings.

09:00-17:00 Drive along National Highway G2 to Baihaba, with a stop at the China-Kazakhstan Grand Canyon Viewpoint to overlook the canyon.

Check in at Baihaba Village to see the solitary tree and border snowfields. Along the way, traverse vast forested snowscapes; with luck, you may encounter wild deer herds.

17:00-20:00 Head to Kanas and check into a homestay. Free time available; dinner is on your own.

Daily ReminderKanas accommodation does not include breakfast; please prepare your own meals. The route from Altay to Baihaba is mountainous; passengers prone to motion sickness should take medication in advance. Due to deep snow and slippery roads, do not cross the forest or ice areas independently.

Day 4 · Kanas – Kanas Lake – Snowmobile Tour (Arranged for landing groups on 11/20) – Three Bays of Kanas – Hemu Bonfire Party (Open to arrangement) – Hemu

DiningBreakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

AccommodationStandard room with private bathroom in Hemu Scenic Area

08:00-09:30 Free time in Kanas Village in the morning to enjoy wooden houses, snow-capped mountains, and streams.

09:30-14:00 Visit Kanas Lake, admire snow mushrooms and rime ice, and experience snowmobile rides according to your tour schedule.

Stop at Kanas Three Bends to visit Shenshanwan, Wolongwan, and Yue Liang Wan. Enjoy the snow-covered river bends and frost-covered trees.

14:00-18:00 Travel to Hemu, enjoying the snowy plains of the Altai Mountains along the way.

18:00-20:30 Free time after check-in. Evening bonfire party in Hemu, subject to availability.

Daily ReminderBreakfast is not included in Hemu accommodation; please bring your own. The ground in Hemu can be slippery; wear non-slip shoes. Bonfire parties are held based on weather conditions and scenic area arrangements.

Day 5: Hemu to Jike Qilin Ski Resort (Includes 4 hours of beginner ski experience; scheduled for landing tours on 11/20) — Stargazing at Night — Return to Hemu

DiningBreakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

AccommodationStandard room with private bathroom in Hemu Scenic Area

09:00-10:00 Free time in Hemu Village at dawn to capture snow-capped mountains, wooden houses, and morning smoke.

10:00-14:30 Visit Jikepulin Ski Resort. Includes 4-hour beginner slope lift ticket with snowboard and boots. Deposit required separately.

14:30-19:30 Enjoy free photography in Hemu Village and surrounding areas, listen to Tuvan folk songs, and experience village life.

At night, you can stargaze independently in Hemu Village, immersing yourself in the quiet and vastness of the snowy village. Capture the enchanting interplay of light and shadow on the snow-covered landscape.

Daily ReminderSki equipment deposit is self-paid; advanced runs available for an additional fee. Please purchase insurance and ski within your limits. Breakfast not included in Hemu accommodation.

Day 6 · Hemu – Hemu Dawn (optional, at your own expense) – Hemu Light Photography Tour – Karamay

DiningBreakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

Accommodation: Karamay Ctrip 4-star

07:00-09:30 Guests may optionally wake up early to hike to the viewing platform for sunrise, or sleep until they naturally wake.

09:30-13:00 Heimu Light Photography Tour, includes 6 professionally retouched photos. Scarves, capes, paper umbrellas, and other props provided.

13:00-22:00 After lunch, drive to the oil city of Karamay, transitioning from mountainous terrain back to plains.

22:00-22:30 Arrive at Karamay Hotel for check-in, then have dinner and rest on your own.

Daily ReminderHemu accommodation does not include breakfast; please bring your own. Travel time is long, so pack snacks and water. During free time, please stay alert for personal safety and protect your belongings.

Day 7 · Karamay → Self-drive 360° Around Sayram Lake → Stove-boiled Tea → UTV Snow Car (Arranged for landing group on 11/20) → Sayram Lake East Gate

DiningBreakfast included; lunch and dinner at your own expense.

AccommodationCtrip 4-Star Rated: East Gate, Sayram Lake

08:00-08:30 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, pack your luggage and check your belongings, then check out.

08:30-15:00 Drive to Sayram Lake via the highway along the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains.

15:00-20:30 Lake Drive: Witness Ice Bubbles and Blue Ice, Enjoy Stove-Side Tea, and Experience UTV Snow Rides based on tour dates.

20:30-21:30 Check in at the East Gate Hotel of Sayram Lake Scenic Area, then enjoy dinner and rest on your own.

Daily Reminder- Strong winds at the lake; stay safe and warm while taking photos. - Ice bubbles and ice push features are weather-dependent and not guaranteed. - The road on Sayram Lake is slippery in winter; please walk carefully.

Day 8: Sayram Lake (Second Visit) — Sunrise Walk — Urumqi

DiningBreakfast included; lunch and dinner at your own expense.

Accommodation: Urumqi Ctrip 5-star

09:00-09:30 Sleep in, enjoy breakfast at the hotel, pack up, check out, and depart.

09:30-11:00 Binhai Sayram Lake: Drive along the lake to Moon Bay for a stroll. No full loop around the lake.

11:00-19:00 Drive back to Urumqi, enjoy the scenery along the way, and have a light meal on your own.

19:00-19:30 Arrive at Urumqi hotel for check-in. Dinner is on your own, followed by free time.

Daily ReminderThe drive today is long; please bring snacks and water. Morning temperatures in the lake area are low; add layers before sunrise. We do not recommend booking flights or trains for return on the day of your group's departure.

Day 9: Urumqi – Departure (Airport Transfer)

DiningBreakfast included; lunch and dinner at your own expense.

We'll arrange your airport transfer based on the flight schedule. The happy time has passed quickly, concluding this Xinjiang journey.

Please check out before 14:00. Additional charges for late checkout are your responsibility. Please inspect your belongings before departure.

Daily ReminderCheck your luggage and documents before checkout to avoid leaving anything behind.

Included Fees

• Transportation: 7 seats in 1 + 1 first-class vehicles, ensuring one seat per passenger. Airport pickup and drop-off do not specify the vehicle type.
• Accommodation: Ctrip 5-star, Altay 4-star, Kanas 1 nights, Hemu 2 nights in scenic area standard rooms, Karamay 4-star, Sayram Lake East Gate 4-star.
• Tickets: General Mountain Cable Car, Hemu Tickets & Shuttle Bus, Baihaba Tickets & Shuttle Bus, Kanas Tickets & Shuttle Bus, Sayram Lake Tickets & Self-Drive Pass.
• Driver: Round-trip service from Urumqi with driver accommodation and meals included; no tour guide commentary.
• Meals: Breakfast included at the hotel; no breakfast in Kanas and Hemu. All other meals are on your own.
• Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance and travel accident insurance.
• Children: Child rate covers transportation only. Tickets, shuttle buses, accommodation, and breakfast are not included.

Not included in the price

• No meals included throughout the tour.
• Cost of entertainment activities within the scenic area.
• Additional costs due to force majeure events such as traffic delays, weather conditions, or flight cancellations.
• In-room laundry, telephone charges, beverages, tobacco, and alcohol.

Gift Items

• General Mountain Cable Car, Sunset Rave & EDM Party. Subject to scenic area opening schedule.
• Hemu Light Photography Travel Shoot: 15 raw images included, 6 professionally retouched. Makeup and wardrobe not included.
• Kanas Snowmobile, group tour schedule for 11 month 20 day.
• Sayram Lake UTV Snow Vehicle, group tours arriving on 11/20 (subject to weather conditions).
• Stove-boiled tea at Sayram Lake.
• Jikepingin Beginner Ski Pass, 11 month 20 date group arrival schedule, subject to opening status.

Booking Terms

• Each passenger is limited to one 28-inch suitcase and 1 backpack(s) per person due to limited trunk space.
• Actual vehicle model is subject to daily schedule. For carpooling, seats are rotated daily among passengers.
• Group from 2 to 6 people. Minimum 2 to depart, maximum 6. No screening of group members' information.
• Single bookings can be paired for shared rooms; a single room supplement is required if pairing is not desired. Children must either pay the room difference or register as adults.
• This tour does not include a guide. The driver will handle pickup, connections, and safe driving but will not provide detailed commentary.
• Pregnant women, infants under 3, and seniors aged 75 and above are not accepted for group tours. Participants aged 70 to 74 must provide a health certificate and be accompanied by a relative under 60.
• Leaving the tour midway forfeits your remaining itinerary. Refunds are limited to unused fees; transportation costs are non-refundable.
• We recommend not booking return flights or train tickets for the day of your group departure.
• Winter snowfall may lead to mountain closures or traffic restrictions. Travel agencies may adjust the itinerary sequence or activate alternative plans.
• If access to Kanas or Hemu is restricted due to mountain closures, we will refund the difference in ticket and accommodation fees that have not yet been incurred.
• Hotels in the itinerary feature standard double rooms. Requests for king-size beds are subject to availability and must be approved.
• Accommodation in the scenic area is limited; same-room or same-courtyard allocation within the same tour group cannot be guaranteed.

The itinerary is subject to change; the final confirmation sent before departure will prevail. For adjustments to duration, group size, or pace, please contact your consultant to customize a tailored plan.