Luxury Edition: Winter Romance of Two Lakes – 8 Days | Urumqi + Altay + Kanas + Hemu + Sayram Lake

Luxury Winter Lake Tour: 8 Days | Urumqi, Altay, Kanas, Hemu, Sayram Lake. Depart from Urumqi to explore the winter highlights of Kanas, Hemu, and Sayram Lake. Stay two nights in Hemu for an immersive experience of snow villages and blue ice. This itinerary covers Urumqi, Altay, Kanas, Hemu, and Karamay over a total of 8 days and 7 nights.

Highlights

• Influencer Highway: Drive along the S21 Desert Highway across the Gurbantunggut Desert to experience the vast open views and desert landscapes of Northern Xinjiang's desert road.
• Snow meets KahoStay in Kanas and Hemu during the snow season to see misty forests, blue rivers, deep powder snow, and wooden cabins with rising smoke.
• Snowfall at Sayram LakeDay 2: Arrive at Sayram Lake. Enjoy the sunrise over snow-capped peaks and blue ice formations along the shore, capturing the shifting light and shadows on the winter lake surface.
• Hemu Multi-night StayStay two nights in Hemu Scenic Area. Wake up to snowy views right outside your window, with time to wander the village, watch the sunrise, and gaze at the starry sky.
• SnowmobileExperience snowmobiling in Kanas, gliding across icy surfaces and through a sea of powder snow (available from the group arrival on 11/20).
• Skiing ExperienceJikepulin Ski Resort: 4-hour beginner slope experience ticket, including skis, boots, and poles. Ideal for first-time skiers.
• BonfireThe Hemu Bonfire Festival will be scheduled based on availability. Join fellow travelers in singing and dancing to experience the vibrant night atmosphere of the Snow Village.
• SnowmobileExperience UTV snow driving at Sayram Lake, paired with a warm tea session by the fire. Enjoy a slow winter day by the lakeside.
• Hemu Travel PhotographyChoose from 6 Huomu photography themes. Includes 9 retouched photos, professional styling and wardrobe, plus props like a horse, scarf, and more.
• Comfortable drivingThe 7-seat vehicle features a 1+1 first-class configuration with leg rests, heated seats, massage, and ventilation. It accommodates 28-inch luggage.

Trip Overview

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 · Departure: Urumqi

Accommodation: Urumqi Ctrip 5-Diamond Hotel

Arrive in Urumqi and check into your hotel. Free time follows; no private transportation is included for the day.

If time permits, you may visit the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar Night Market, Hongshan Park, or the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum.

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum requires reservations 1 to 3 days in advance. The museum is closed on Mondays; please verify opening hours before your visit.

The departure time for the next day will be communicated by the driver and tour manager via message or phone call. Please keep your phone on and accessible.

Daily Reminder: Xinjiang has a large temperature difference between day and night; please adjust your clothing accordingly. : There are many checkpoints; please carry your ID and phone at all times and cooperate with inspections. : Xinjiang is two hours behind mainland China; schedules are adjusted accordingly.

Day 2 · Urumqi-S1 Desert Highway-Jiangjun Mountain-Arle

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

Accommodation: Altay Ctrip 4-Star Hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, your driver will arrive on schedule to pick you up and begin the small-group tour.

Travel north along the S21 Desert Highway through the Gurbantunggut Desert. Have lunch at your own convenience at the Kelameili Service Area around noon.

Take the afternoon bus to Altay. After arrival, check into your hotel for a brief rest, then head to General Mountain.

Take the sunset cable car to the summit, enjoy the view as the sun sets. Optional night skiing at General Mountain; lift tickets not included.

Check into your hotel in the evening to rest. Dinner is on your own; you may explore the city at night—please dress warmly.

Daily ReminderThe drive today is long; please bring snacks, water, and entertainment for the ride. Guests prone to motion sickness should take medication in advance. After night skiing, you will need to arrange your own return to the hotel. The cable cars are open or semi-enclosed; it is very windy at the summit, so please dress accordingly.

Day 3: Altay – Kanas Lake – Three Bends of Kanas – Hemu

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

AccommodationHemu Scenic Area (Standard Room, Private Bathroom)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Kanas Scenic Area while admiring the vast snow-covered Altai Mountains along the way.

Explore Kanas Lake, where snow mushrooms line the shore. The high-altitude glacial lake shimmers in deep blue, surrounded by forests and snow-capped mountains.

Experience snowmobiling through icy forests (tours arriving in 11 month, 20 date).

Stop and take photos at Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, and Yueliang Bay. The three bays are close together; you can visit them in sequence along the route.

Take the afternoon bus to Hemu Scenic Area. Upon arrival, check into a homestay. Dinner is on your own, followed by free time.

Daily Reminder: The road from Altay to Jiadengyu is rugged; please take motion sickness medication in advance if you are prone to it. Snow depth, landslides, and steep slopes are present in the scenic area; do not cross forests, river valleys, or ice surfaces on your own. Breakfast is not included with accommodation in Hemu. The ice layer on Kanas Lake is thin; please be cautious of slipping.

Day 4: Hemu – Jikeqinglin Ski Resort – Hemu

DiningBreakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

AccommodationHemu Scenic Area (Standard Room, Private Bathroom)

Spend the day freely in Hemu. Visit Gekiplin Ski Resort, where a beginner's lift ticket for 4 hours is included along with skis, boots, and poles.

You can also capture snowscapes, cooking smoke, and wooden cabins in Hemu Village and its surroundings to document the winter village scene.

Head to the sunset viewpoint in the evening for blue hour photography. Actual results depend on the day's weather and lighting conditions.

In the evening, head to Hemu for a bonfire party (subject to scenic area availability), then enjoy stargazing in the village.

Daily Reminder: Breakfast is not included in Hemu accommodation. Please ski within your limits and stay safe. Beginner package requires a refundable deposit for ski equipment. There is a significant temperature difference in Hemu; please adjust your clothing accordingly.

Day 5 · Hemu – Hemu Dawn – Karamay

DiningBreakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included.

Accommodation: Karamay Ctrip 4-Diamond Hotel

Voluntarily wake up early, hike with a small group to Haden Platform to watch the sunrise and overlook Hemu Village with its rooftops wreathed in morning smoke.

Book 6 premium travel photography themes in Hemu, including 9 retouched photos, wardrobe and styling, with a focus on the Snowy Tribe collection.

After lunch, depart for Karamay. The drive covers approximately 500 kilometers, offering scenic views of Northern Xinjiang along the way.

Arrive in Karamay in the evening. Check in and enjoy free time; dinner is on your own, and you are free to explore the city.

Daily Reminder: Accommodation in Hemu does not include breakfast. ; After returning from the mountains to the plains, the climate becomes dry; please stay hydrated. ; The driving distance today is long; please bring your own snacks and drinking water.

Day 6: Karamay → Sayram Lake → East Gate of Sayram Lake

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

Accommodation: Ctrip 5-star hotel near the East Gate of Sayram Lake

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out, then drive to Sayram Lake Scenic Area (approximately 560 km).

Travel north of the Tianshan Mountains along the Junggar Basin, with views of snow-capped peaks in the distance. Stop at a service area for lunch on your own.

After arrival, drive around the lake to view ice shards, ice bubbles, and blue ice. Experience UTV snow vehicles (available on 11/20 arrival dates when weather permits).

Check into a hotel near the East Gate of Sayram Lake. Enjoy a custom cocktail and light snacks, then spend your free time exploring and having dinner on your own.

Daily Reminder: Vibrant clothing looks best in photos at Lake Sayram. Winter winds near the lake can be strong; please take safety precautions while taking photos. Ice bubbles and ice push formations depend on weather conditions and are not guaranteed to be visible every time. The lake surface is frozen; watch your step to avoid slipping.

Day 7: Sayram Lake (Second Visit) – Urumqi

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

Accommodation: Urumqi Ctrip 5-Diamond Hotel

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out, then head back to Sayram Lake to start your day by the lakeside.

Take the train to Sayram Lake, stroll along the shore to Moon Bay without circling the lake, and enjoy the winter views of the water surface and the Tianshan Mountains.

Return to Urumqi by bus, enjoying the scenic views along the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains. Light lunch will be arranged at your own convenience during the journey.

Arrive in Urumqi in the evening. After checking into your hotel, enjoy free time and dine at your own discretion. You are free to explore the city as you wish.

Daily Reminder- The day's drive is long; please bring snacks and water. - Temperatures in the lake area are lower in the early morning; dress warmly. - Please fasten your seatbelt throughout the highway drive.

Day 8 · Urumqi – A Warm Home

Dining: Breakfast included at the hotel; lunch and dinner are on your own.

AccommodationHome

Departure to the airport based on flight schedule after checking out, concluding this winter Double Lake tour.

Daily Reminder: Please ensure all items are packed and nothing is left behind. Check-out must be completed by 14:00 Beijing time. Any late check-out fees will be your responsibility.

Included Fees

• Transportation: 7-seat vehicle (1 + 1 first-class model), guaranteed one seat per passenger, including airport pickup and drop-off.
• Accommodation: 2 nights at a Ctrip 5-star hotel, 2 nights in a standard room in Hemu Scenic Area, 2 nights at a Ctrip 4-star hotel, and 1 nights near the East Gate of Sayram Lake in a Ctrip 5-star hotel.
• Tickets: General Mountain Cable Car Ticket, Hemu Entrance Ticket with Shuttle Bus, Kanas Entrance Ticket with Shuttle Bus, Sayram Lake Entrance Ticket and Self-Drive Pass.
• Driver: Full-time driver service. No tour guide included. Driver's meals and accommodation are covered.
• Meals: Breakfast included at the hotel; breakfast not included in Hemu. Lunch and dinner are on your own.
• Insurance: Travel agency liability insurance; the travel agency separately purchases domestic travel accident insurance.
• Children: Child rate covers bike rental only; excludes admission tickets, shuttle bus, and accommodation.

Not included in the price

• Meals not included; drivers' accommodation and meals are covered by the operator, not shared by guests.
• Entertainment activities within the scenic area.
• Additional costs incurred due to force majeure events such as traffic delays, strikes, weather conditions, aircraft malfunctions, flight cancellations, or schedule changes.
• Laundry, barber, telephone, fax, pay TV, beverages, tobacco, and alcohol charges.
• Other fees not mentioned in the cost breakdown.

Gift Items

• Hemu's 6 Themed Authentic Photo Shoots, including 9 professionally edited photos, costumes, and styling.
• Kanas Snowmobile Tour (Group departures scheduled for 11/20; subject to favorable weather conditions).
• Snowy Sayless Lake: Warm Tea by the Hearth
• Sayram Lake UTV Snow Vehicle (Scheduled for landing groups on 11/20; open subject to favorable weather conditions).
• ARULA·Yi: Signature Cocktails, Tea Drinks, Coffee, Light Meals & Snacks.
• Gijikenglin Ski Ticket, Beginner Slope (Arrival Group Schedule for 11 Month 20 Day).
• General Mountain Cable Car, Sunset Disco, and EDM Party.

Booking Terms

• We do not accept pregnant women, children under 3 years old, or guests aged 75 and above.
• Guests aged 70 to 74 must provide a health certificate and be accompanied by at least 1 immediate family members under the age of 60.
• Children aged 3 to 18 must be accompanied by a guardian throughout the tour.
• Children under 18 years old traveling alone must have a guardian's consent form and be accompanied by at least 1 adult relative(s).
• Each passenger may carry one 28-inch suitcase and 1 bag(s).
• This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants and has a maximum capacity of 6. Seats will rotate daily during shared rides.
• Single registration: shared room eliminates single supplement; requesting a private room requires payment of the supplement.
• Groups of six or more may be assigned to two separate vehicles; coordination between vehicles cannot be guaranteed.
• Accurate and complete identification and contact information are required at the time of booking.
• You will receive your tour confirmation by 22:00 the day before departure. Please keep your phone accessible.
• We recommend not booking return flights or train tickets for the day of your group departure.
• Ice bubbles and ice shove landscapes are weather-dependent and cannot be guaranteed for every visitor.
• UTV snowmobiles and snowmobile activities are weather-dependent. No alternative activities will be provided if they are closed due to weather conditions.
• Itinerary order may be adjusted or substituted with an alternative plan in case of mountain closures or traffic restrictions during winter.
• Failure to complete the tour due to early departure is considered a voluntary abandonment. Only unincurred fees will be refunded; bus fares are non-refundable.

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.