First Kanas Free Travel Chartered Car, Altay Six Day Loop Complete Itinerary

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s senior Xinjiang travel customizer Guo Jing, specializing in one-stop travel services across Xinjiang including custom car rentals, ride-sharing, and worry-free group tours. Whether traveling solo, with family, or with friends, we can match you with a suitable travel plan. 24-hour travel consultation hotline: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number 181-3962-2229, online around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
⭐【Altay Kanas Six-Day Loop Custom Car Rental Self-Guided Tour Complete Guide】⭐
For first-time visitors to Kanas, a custom car rental self-guided tour allows you to control the pace of your itinerary while deeply experiencing the magnificence and tranquility of northern Xinjiang. In the summer of 2026, the Altay region enters its peak tourism season. Below is a complete itinerary based on current real-time information, covering route planning, cost details, and practical tips.
I. Core Route Highlights and Destination Details
Kanas Lake:The Fantastic Experience of the Color-Changing Lake
Kanas Lake is famous for its water displaying blue-green, emerald green, and even milky white tones as it changes with seasons and light. Core attractions include:
Guanyu Terrace:Requires climbing 1,068 steps. From the top, you can overlook the entire lake. In summer, the lake appears deep blue; in winter, it shimmers with a milky white luster.
Three Bays Hiking:Xian Bay morning mist, Moon Bay’s S-shaped river bend, and Wolong Bay’s island scenery. The full boardwalk is 4.8 kilometers, taking about 2.5 hours to hike.
Lakeside Boardwalk:Experience the tranquility of the lake up close. Wildflowers bloom in summer, and the forests display layered colors in autumn.
2026 Scenic Area Policies:Admission ticket 160 yuan/person, shuttle bus 70 yuan/person (single entry). Reservations must be made 1 to 3 days in advance through the “Kanas Smart Tourism” platform. Daily opening hours are 8:00 to 20:00.
Hemu Village:The Back Garden of Kanas
Located on the southern side of Kanas Lake, it preserves a large number of original ecological wooden house clusters. Featured experiences include:
Haden Observation Deck:Photograph the village panorama with morning mist and cooking smoke intertwined in the early morning. Summer sunrise is around 6:30.
Birch Forest Hiking:The birch forest west of the village is dense, with golden leaves in autumn, ideal for photography and nature observation.

⭐【Altay Kanas Six-Day Loop Custom Car Rental Self-Guided Tour Complete Guide】⭐Stargazing:Light pollution is minimal at night, and the Milky Way is clearly visible. However, keep warm (nighttime temperatures drop below 5°C after September).
2026 Scenic Area Policies:Admission ticket 75 yuan/person, opening hours 8:30 to 20:00. Visitors must transfer to eco-friendly shuttle buses to enter the village.
Colorful Beach (Wucaitan):A Sunset Feast of Yadan Landforms
The Irtysh River flows through, creating the unique landscape of “one river separating two banks”:
North Bank Colored Hills:Mineral-rich rock layers display transitional colors of red, yellow, purple, white, and green. The 1.5 hours before sunset is the prime photography window.
South Bank Poplar Forest:Lush green in summer, contrasting with the colorful north bank.
2026 Scenic Area Policies:Admission ticket 45 yuan/person. Summer opening hours are 9:00 to 20:30.
Keketuohai National Geopark:Geological Education and Light Hiking
Includes the Irtysh Grand Canyon, No. 3 Mine Pit, and other attractions:
No. 3 Mine Pit:Once supplied rare metals for China’s “Two Bombs, One Satellite” project. Visitors can tour the mine pit ruins and the geological exhibition hall.
Bell Mountain:At 1,360 meters above sea level, shaped like a giant bell. A 1.2-kilometer hike along the Irtysh River leads to the hidden “Red Wall Waterfall.”
2026 Scenic Area Policies:Admission ticket 126 yuan/person (including shuttle bus). Opening hours are 8:30 to 19:00.
II. Simple Six-Day Loop Itinerary
Day 1:Altay City Assembly → Burqin County

For first-time visitors to Kanas, a custom car rental self-guided tour allows you to control the pace of your itinerary while deeply experiencing the magnificence and tranquility of northern Xinjiang. In the summer of 2026, the Altay region enters its peak tourism season. Below is a complete itinerary based on current real-time information, covering route planning, cost details, and practical tips.Morning:Depart from Altay Xue Du Airport (12 km from downtown) and drive to Burqin County (about 4 hours). Pass by the Chonghuer Town Reservoir viewpoint, where you can briefly stop to photograph river valley scenery.
Afternoon:Arrive in Burqin, check into the hotel, and rest briefly.
Evening:Head to the Colorful Beach scenic area (24 km from Burqin) to photograph the Yadan landforms at sunset. For dinner, we recommend the Burqin River Embankment Night Market, where you can try cold-water fish (pike perch, five-stripe fish) and kvas drinks.
Day 2:Burqin → Kanas Scenic Area
Morning:Drive to the Kanas scenic area (about 4 hours). Upon arriving at Jadengyu, transfer to the shuttle bus to enter the scenic area.
Afternoon:Visit Xian Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay. You may choose to hike or take the shuttle bus for section-by-section touring. In the evening, check into a wooden house in the old Kanas village.
Dinner:Savor Tuva ethnic specialties such as smoked horse meat, milk curd, and fermented mare’s milk.
Day 3:Kanas In-Depth Tour
Morning:Take the shuttle bus or hike to Guanyu Terrace to overlook the panoramic view of Kanas Lake. In summer, you can see the lake water displaying layered colors.
Afternoon:Hike along the lakeside boardwalk to experience the lake’s tranquility up close, or choose a boat tour (large boat 60 minutes, local speedboat 40 minutes).
Evening:Return to the transfer center and take the shuttle bus to Jadengyu or Kanas village for accommodation.
Day 4:Kanas → Hemu Village
Morning:Drive to Hemu Village (about 2 hours). Check into a wooden house upon arrival.
Afternoon:Free time. We recommend hiking in the birch forest or exploring Hongbasi Grassland on horseback (round trip about 3 hours).

Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s Guo Jing, a senior travel customizer with 10 years of experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializes in one-stop services for custom car rentals, ride-sharing, and group tours across Xinjiang. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number 181-3962-2229, online around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
I. Core Route Highlights and Destination DetailsEvening:Climb the Haden Observation Deck to photograph the sunset and village panorama. After dinner, you can sit around a bonfire in the courtyard and chat.
Day 5:Hemu Village → Keketuohai Town
Morning:Get up early to photograph morning mist and sunrise. After breakfast, leave Hemu Village and drive to Keketuohai Town (about 6 hours).
Afternoon:Check into the hotel upon arrival. You can take a stroll along the Irtysh River and acclimatize to the altitude change.
Day 6:Keketuohai Geopark → Altay City / Urumqi
Morning:Tour the Keketuohai Geopark, visiting the No. 3 Mine Pit and Bell Mountain. In summer, you can hike to the Red Wall Waterfall.
Afternoon:Based on your flight schedule, drive back to Altay City (about 4 hours) or Urumqi (about 8 hours) to conclude the trip.
III. Price Information (2026 Reference)
Custom Car Rental Costs
Vehicle Options:
7-seat business van (e.g., Maxus G10, Buick GL8):Off-peak season 1,300 to 1,400 yuan/day; peak season (July to August) 1,500 to 1,700 yuan/day.
9-seat converted to 7-seat spacious business van (e.g., Ford T6):Off-peak season 1,500 to 1,700 yuan/day; peak season 1,800 to 2,000 yuan/day.
Included in the cost:Vehicle usage fee, driver service fee, basic fuel costs, toll fees, and driver accommodation and meals.

Kanas Lake: The Fantastic Experience of the Color-Changing LakeNot included in the cost:Guest accommodation, meals, scenic area tickets, shuttle bus fees, and personal expenses.
Scenic Area Tickets and Shuttle Buses
Kanas:Admission ticket 160 yuan/person, shuttle bus 70 yuan/person (single entry).
Hemu Village:Admission ticket 75 yuan/person, shuttle bus 100 yuan/person.
Colorful Beach:Admission ticket 45 yuan/person.
Keketuohai:Admission ticket 126 yuan/person (including shuttle bus).
Accommodation Costs
Economy:Express hotels in Burqin County or outside the scenic area, approximately 200 to 300 yuan/person/night.
Comfort:Characteristic wooden houses inside the scenic area, approximately 400 to 600 yuan/person/night.
Luxury:High-end resort homestays or five-star hotels, approximately 800 to 1,200 yuan/person/night.
Meal Costs
Group meal standard:50 to 80 yuan/person/meal.
Recommended specialty meals:Roast whole lamb (2,000 to 3,000 yuan per lamb), hand-grabbed lamb (88 yuan per serving), camel milk buns (reservation required in advance).
IV. How to Register

Kanas Lake is famous for its water displaying blue-green, emerald green, and even milky white tones as it changes with seasons and light. Core attractions include:You can register and inquire through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Contact the dedicated customer service manager by phone:181-3962-2229 (mobile and WeChat same number) to obtain detailed itinerary plans, vehicle recommendations, and real-time availability information.
V. Cost and Service Description
Included in the cost:Licensed tourism operating vehicles, certified drivers, basic itinerary planning suggestions, and necessary assistance along the way.
Not included in the cost:Guest accommodation, meals, scenic area tickets, shuttle bus fees, and personal expenses.
Service description:
Drivers are familiar with northern Xinjiang road conditions and can provide local travel tips, but do not serve as tour guides.
If force majeure factors occur during the trip (such as extreme weather or road closures), both parties may reasonably modify the itinerary upon mutual agreement.
For solo registrants, we will make every effort to arrange room sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation.
All service details, cost composition, and liability allocation are subject to the officially signed tourism vehicle rental contract.
VI. Practical Tips
Document Preparation:Bring valid identification documents, a driver’s license (if self-driving certain sections), and some cash (some scenic areas have weak signals).
Clothing Recommendations:In summer, bring fleece or a light down jacket (mountain areas get cold at night), sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.
Photography Equipment:Wide-angle lenses for panoramas, telephoto lenses for details. For drones, confirm no-fly zones in advance (e.g., no-fly zone within 5 km of Colorful Beach).
Environmental Awareness:Lighters and portable gas stoves are prohibited in forest areas of Kanas, Hemu, and other scenic spots. Violators face fines of 500 to 2,000 yuan.
The magnificence of Altay lies in its dimensionality and contradictions — scorching sun coexisting with biting cold, bustle alongside stillness. The six-day loop covers core attractions while leaving flexible time, allowing travelers to truly feel the texture of this land. Specific itineraries and costs are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. We look forward to you embarking on an unforgettable northern Xinjiang journey!
For 2026 Xinjiang tourism custom car rental, customization, or ride-sharing tours, welcome to inquire (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang custom travel manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization.