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10 days Xinjiang Kanas Lake and Hemu Village trekking tour

This 10-day Kanas Lake trekking tour highlights Northern Xinjiang’s most remarkable landscapes and Tuwa cultural experiences. Start in Urumqi, then fly to Kanas and begin your loop trek from Jiadengyu. Follow forested trails and river valleys toward Hemu Village, known as one of the six most beautiful villages in China, and famous for its traditional Tuwa community and panoramic sunrise viewpoints. Continue the trek to Black Lake and over high ridges before descending into the Kanas Lake area, where shifting lake colors and dramatic viewpoints await. Explore signature sites such as Moon Bay, Immortal Bay, and Fish-Watching Pavilion while staying inside the Kanas Nature Reserve. This route suits travelers seeking an immersive multi-day trek, stunning alpine scenery, and authentic culture in Northern Xinjiang.

The itinerary below is only one possibility. Tips to tailor-make your trip are offered as inspiration. Tell us your preferences and our travel experts will customize this trip to suit your interests, tastes, and budget.

Tour Type: Private Tour,your family, friends or group
Guide & Driver: Chinese-English-speaking guide & air-conditioned
Tour Highlights:
    • This Xinjiang trekking tour will amaze you with its distinct ethnic culture as well as numerous fantastic natural landscapes. Your journey starts with a trek to the Hemu Village, one of the six most beautiful villages in China. Walk around and soak in the peaceful lifestyle and ethnic cultures of the locals. Added with an awe-inspiring hike to the picturesque Kanas Lake. Enjoy the unique beauty that can only be found in Northern Xinjiang.
    • Explore the mystical Kanas Lake, the most beautiful alpine lake. Marvel at its emerald waters embracing towering mountains and capture the panoramic view of the picturesque lake. Discover the different Three Bays.
    • Wander through the idyllic Hemu Village, a fairland village near Kanas Lake, where wooden chalets snuggle amidst golden meadows, and the air whispers tales of ancient Tuva traditions.
From $Request per person Free Inquiry

10-Day Xinjiang Kanas Lake and Hemu Village Tour Itinerary Summary

Day Highlights
1 & 9 & 10
Urumqi
Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve,
2
Jiadengyu
Jiadengyu
3-5
Hemu Village
Trek to Delta, Hemu Village Hiking, Hemu Village
6
Black Lake Campsite
Wu’erhe Ghost City (Yardang Landform)
7-8
Kanas Lake
the Black Lake, Kanas Village, the Kanas Lake
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Day 1 Urumqi Arrival Urumqi airport/train station pick up and hotel check-in
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Welcome to Urumqi, Your trekking tour starts in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang, the largest province in western China renowned for the Uyghur culture and ancient Silk Road. In the next 10 days you will hike deep into Northern Xinjiang to explore the mysterious Kanas Lake, unspoiled Hemu Village, the Baihaba Village and many more.

Upon arrival, your local trekking guide will greet you and assist you to the hotel. The rest of the day is left free for you to explore the city or adjust yourself for the jet lag. Notice the clock time in Urumqi of Xinjiang is the same as Beijing Time, but the sunset here is 2 hours later compared with the mainland China.

How to get to Urumqi? Currently, you can take flights to Urumqi from Beijing (about 4 hours), Xian (about 3.5 hours), Shanghai (about 5.5 hours), Guangzhou (about 5 hours), Chengdu (about 3.5 hours), etc., or high speed trains from Turpan (about 2 hours), Dunhuang (about 4.5 hours), Lanzhou (about 11 hours), Xining (about 9.5 hours), etc.

Free time idea: 1. Red Hill Park which is regarded as the symbol of Urumqi. It is the most popular place for the locals to relax and gather. For travelers, it is a great place to experience folk culture and local living style. Finding a higher location in the park, you are rewarded a pleasant panoramic view of Urumqi city; 2. Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar, a great place to enjoy a leisure stroll and purchase some snacks, souvenirs, etc.

Day 2 Flight to Altay - Drive to Jiadengyu (B, L) Today's highlight: Jiadengyu
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Take a morning flight to Altay, a town near the spectacular Kanas Lake. As you get off the plane, your local trekking guide will help you review all the equipment. After a 1.5 hours’ drive, you will arrive at the entrance point of Kanas Lake - Jiadengyu.

After having lunch at Jiadengyu, your local guide will go over the menu for your trekking with you. This evening you will stay in the Jiadengyu Kazakh Yurt.

Stay over the night in Jiadengyu.

Jadenyu in autumn
Jadenyu in autumn
Day 3 Trek to Delta (B, L) Today's highlight: Delta Campsite
..

Start trekking to the Hemu Village in this morning, and you will pass by meadows and woods. Your destination today is to the Delta Campsite, which is about 20 km. (12 mi.) from Jiadengyu. You will see a pine forest covering the surrounding mountains along both banks of the Buerjin river. The merging point of Kanas and Hemu river will be the Campsite.

The hike today takes about 6 to 7 hours. As you arrive at the Delta Campsite, find a smooth meadow in the woods near the river and the horse path. Set up the camp here as it is a safe and suitable place for the evening.

Wooden house in Hemu Village
Visit a local Tuvas family in Hemu Village
Day 4 Trek to Hemu Village (B, L) Hemu Village Hiking
..

Continue trekking about 4 to 5 hours and you will reach the Hemu Village. First, hike northward for 5 km. (5 mi.) along the west bank of the Hemu River. Then pass a birch forest and cross the Hemu Bridge, you now really arrive in Hemu.

Being ranked by China National Geography as one of the six most beautiful villages in China, Hemu Village is a peaceful settlement of the Tuwa people. Upon your arrival, walk around here to explore the unique cultures of the locals. Do not forget to use your camera to capture the breathtaking scenery around the village. This evening, head to a local guest house to end the trip today.

After the lake tour, take a park bus back to your hotel. The rest time is your own to relax.

Hemu Village
Horseback riding in Hemu Village
Day 5 Hemu Village One Day Tour (B, L) Hemu Village
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Today serves as a break of your trekking tour since you will stay in the peaceful Hemu Village to pursue its unique beauty. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon while roaming in the village. Experience the local life of the nomadic Tuwa people and Kazakhs. After having a local dinner with the Tuwa people, return to your hotel for retire.

Hemu Village Autumn
Hemu Horseback Riding
Day 6 Trek to Black Lake Campsite (B,L) Wu’erhe Ghost City (Yardang Landform)
..

Today is a challenging day as you will hike to the campsite in the Black Lake, which is 20 km. (12 mi.) away from the Hemu Village. After leaving the village, hike northwest to reach the valley, then spend about 5 hours to wriggle your way and finally ascend to the 2,350 m. (7,710 ft.) high Daban, which is the highest point of this trekking tour. Descend from Daban, you will see the Black Lake is located in the valley at the foot of the mountain. Upon your arrival, your local guide will help you set up camp aside the lake. After, you will enjoy a picnic dinner. Please make sure to keep warm while sleeping as it is cooler at night than during the day.

Accommodate in tent.

Horseback riding and trekking in Hemu
the Black Lake
Day 7 Trek to Kanas Lake (B, L) Today's highlight: Kanas Lake
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The highlight is coming today as you will reach the spectacular Kanas Lake. After trekking westward from the Black Lake, see a majestic ridge standing at a height of 2,200 m. (7,218 ft.). Climb over this ridge and hike another 5 km. (3 mi.) to reach the Kanas Village, where you will stop for a rest.

After, leave the village and trek along the river valley. A magnificent view of the Kanas Lake will greet you after you pass through a dense pine forest. The rest of the day is for you to capture the enchanting scenery of Kanas. This evening, You'll have many choice for accommodation, like the camp, frame house or yurt.

Hemu Village Road
Kanas Lake
Day 8 Kanas Tour - Drive to Burqin (B, L) Today's highlight: Kanas Lake
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Today you are going to explore the famous Three Bays - the essence of Kanas Scenic Area. Kanas River wriggles in valleys, and creates three zigzag bays with beautiful names - Recumbent Dragon Bay, Moon Bay and Celestial Bay. The water here is crystalline, gentle and lovely. Along the two sides of the three bays are forests with alternate colors of green, yellow and golden, changing with the seasons. The trees, sky and clouds together project in the river, and appear a colorful reflection. Looking far into the distance, you can see the imposing Altai Mountains Range.

The visiting of the Three Bays can be interesting and relaxing. If you are lucky, you will see the illusory mist floating on the Kanas River in the early morning. You can walk on the well-paved plank road to the sightseeing platforms to enjoy the tranquil landscape, then walk from one bay to the next, or take park bus to save energy.

After the Three Bays exploration, keep traveling to Fish-watching Tower - the highest location of Kanas Scenic Area. En route take stops to visit Yazehu (Duck Moor Lake), a butterfly-lake lake, and Dianjiangtai where Genghis Khan once paraded his troops. The Fish-watching Tower is located at 2056 meters on a mountain at the outlet of Kanas Lake. One needs to walk about 1000 steps up to reach the tower, but the rewarding is handsome - a panoramic view of Kanas Lake, and stretching eyesight to the snow mountains of the Friendship Peak (4374m).

After the lake tour, take a park bus back to your hotel. The rest time is your own to relax.

Fish-watching Tower of Kanas
Moon Bay in Kanas
Day 9 Burqin to Urumqi (B, L) Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve
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Have breakfast in your hotel, then drive back to Urumqi. During the 685 km’s driving journey, you will take an excursion visit to Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve which is an important reserve to protect the precious wild ungulates, such as Przewalski's horses, saiga antelopes, Mongolian wild donkeys and goose-throated antelopes. In 1876, the Russian explorer Przewalski hunted a group of wild horses in eastern Xinjiang and brought them back to Russia, causing a sensation in the international biological community because this kind of horse hadn’t been found anywhere in the world before, hence the name Przewalski's horses. The Przewalski's horse is the only surviving wild horse on the earth. It retains the original genes of the earliest ancestors of all current horse, which has an important biological significance that other species cannot match. (please note it’s not 100% sure that you can see the Przewalski's horses and other wild animals as the nature reserve is so big )

Przewalski's horses in Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve
Wild donkeys in Kalamaili Mountain Ungulate Wildlife Nature Reserve
Day 10 Urumqi Departure (B) Highlights of today: Urumqi airport/train station drop off
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Today is free for you to relax until you are escorted to catch your flight/train to the next destination. Tour ends.

B-- Breakfast L-- Lunch D-- Dinner

The quotation for this trip is from Request P/P

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.

2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.

Price Includes.

    2 bottles of mineral water provided daily.

    All required government taxes and fees.

    Please contact one of our Tour Advisors to get a custom quotation made to your requirements.

    Where possible 3 star hotels will always be provided, if the city or town does not have then the local guest house or monastery guest house will be provided (i.e. tent / dormitory bed, no private bathroom etc.)

    Your selection of 3, 4 or 5 Stars hotel (shared twin room, private bathroom and daily breakfast)

    The hotel accommodation is based on two persons sharing one standard twin room with private facilities in all relevant locations. If a single client requests a twin room alone, the single room supplement will be charged.

    Camping gears for the trekking including tent, mattress and sleeping bags. (Optional)

    All entrance tickets as noted in the tour's itinerary.

    Guide fluent in English, Chinese or Japanese that is certified by the state tourism build and from the local community. (If your native language is not listed please let us know, we are certain we can assist your needs.)

    Airport and/or train station pick-up and drop-off.

    All domestic flight and train tickets. Economy-class for flights and soft sleeper / seat for train tickets.

    All necessary animals for portage of luggage. with their caretakers (i.e. Camels, Horses or Yaks.

    Transportation will we be provided via a comfortable and clean car, minivan or tourist bus depending upon the groups size.

    All meals during the trekking. Food will vary a combination of packaged with cooked dinners by your guide.

Price Excludes.

    Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks, internet access, fax, telephone calls etc.

    Tips for your guide and driver.

    Optional Attractions that are not specified in the itinerary.

    Flight and/or railway ticket(s) to the first city of the tour and departure from the last city of the tour.

    Meals not specified in the itinerary.

Travel Guide Tips.

How do I book a China group tour?

Select your travel dates and click “Free Inquiry or ”. You will get free enquiry and don’t need to pay immediately. After sending us your requirements, one of our professional travel experts will get back to you within 0.5 to 24 hours and we guarantee to reserve a place for you first. When all the information have confirmed, then you make the payment. Please feel free to contact the travel expert directly if you have any questions prior to booking.

Deadline for Booking a Group Tour:

The deadline for receiving guests is tentatively 7 days before departure. For trips to Tibet and the Yangtze River Three Gorges, the deadline is extended to 15 days before departure.

Extend Your China Tour

The above itinerary is the sample one that most travelers would go like that. The tour can be customized based on your likes, interests and budget. At the same time, if you want to extend this tour, just tell us your favored destinations and things to do. Our professional travel experts will redesign the trip totally for you and your group at the best price.

Regarding Children's Fees:

1. Occupying a bed: Children will be charged the adult rate.

2.Not occupying a bed: Children will be charged the group tour fee minus the single room difference. Any ticket discounts will be refunded.

Single Room Supplement:

If you are traveling alone and prefer a private room, a single room supplement will apply. Please contact our travel experts for the exact fee.

Free Pick-up & Drop-off Service:

1. Free pick-up is available for flights/trains arriving between 08:00 and 22:00.

2. Free drop-off is available for flights/trains departing between 09:00 and 23:00.

Additional Cost for Private Transfer:

1. For arrival and departure transfers (1-2 persons): Early arrivals or late departures will incur an additional transfer fee.

2. For flights arriving after 22:00 and departing before 09:00: An additional transfer fee will apply.

Tips: Free airport pickup within 24 hours is only available for group tour passengers; private small group tours or customized group tours are included.

About Cancellation Policy

In the event that you need to cancel your trip, please ensure that you submit a written cancellation request. The calculation of cancellation fees will begin from the date we receive your written request.

The cancellation fees will be calculated as follows:

If the cancellation is made between 45 and 30 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 10% of the full payment per person will apply.

If the cancellation is made between 29 and 15 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 30% of the full payment per person will apply.

If the cancellation is made between 14 and 7 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 50% of the full payment per person will apply.

If the cancellation is made between 6 and 0 days before the scheduled departure date, a fee of 100% of the full payment per person will apply.

Do our guide and driver join the meal with us?

The tour guides and driver will be at the same restaurants with you, but they will only join the meal when you invite. Sometimes the drivers are shy to join as they usually eat fast and could not understand English talk around the table, so the guide will be with you more often.

Will we be able to try some local foods during our visit?

Yes, you will. There will be some meals excluded in your itinerary as you like, and your private guide will be delighted to give you some suggestions and take you to the local restaurants, if you are interested in local food tasting. But remember, some local snacks may not match your stomach, so ask your guided for more information before eating.

Shopping

What to buy in China?

In China, there are myriad souvenirs for visitors, and each city has its own specialty.

How to bargain?

Bargains are not acceptable in big supermarkets and department stores. But in some night markets or tourist shops, you can bargain for a lower price, since the vendors always ask for very high price for a certain item. You’d better ask the opinion of the guide first, and then the guide will tell you the real value and quality of the item. Please note that when the bargain is processing, the guide will be hesitate to help as it may annoy the bosses. Just try to let the guides know you will bargain in advance.

What to do with persistent vendors?

If you do not need something from them, just do not ask for price. Some of the venders are very persisted, and if they keep selling things to you, you can simply say “No, thanks.” (Chinese pronunciation: ”Bu, XieXie”). If they do not give up, you just keep silence. Silence is sometimes useful to handle this situation.

Private tour features

1. Private guide, driver and vehicle are for your exclusive use; no matter you are individually, or in a family or friends group. The tour is run exclusively for you without strangers.

2. Every itinerary can be customized to meet your specific interests/ wishes, that is, you can choose your favored hotels, sightseeing spots, the tour length, means of transportation, budget, etc. All are free of charge.

3. Start the tour on any date you want.

4. Escort you through the whole tour. All private transfers during the tour are offered, including airport/train station transfer, hotel-attractions round trip transfer.

5. The sightseeing during the tour could be based on your own timetable and pace. Flexible to change at your short notice.

6. Ideal for people who need considerate care and assistance, such as elderly, the disabled, families with small children.

Local Tour Guides.

Local Tour Guides

Our tours are equipped with local English and Chinese guides at each destination, and in a few cities, multilingual guides in German, Spanish, French, and other languages are available (e.g., in popular tourist cities like Beijing, Xi'an, and Shanghai). They are not only warm and friendly but also knowledgeable and well-informed.

Upon arrival, a patient and punctual guide will meet you at the exit with a sign and then guide you to explore the city at your own pace. They will provide professional explanations and introductions, showcasing the local culture, history, customs, and authentic local life. Throughout the trip, they are not only meticulous and professional guides but also helpful travel companions, dedicated to ensuring you explore the city in a comfortable and elegant way. Make your trip unforgettable!

Local Drivers & Vehicle.

Local Drivers & Vehicle

Choose our private group tours or small group tours for a comfortable, relaxing, and worry-free experience!

Group tours mean you'll travel by tour bus to various attractions within the same city. Groups are typically 2-16 people, and we'll arrange vehicles with 5-38 seats depending on the group size. Our buses are spacious and comfortable, with ample luggage space. For transportation between the two locations, we'll arrange domestic flights (economy class) or high-speed trains (second class, usually no more than 6 hours). A local driver will pick you up at the airport/train station and escort you to your hotel.

Our private transfer service features experienced, licensed drivers and comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles with clean, non-smoking interiors.

Our drivers are all locals, polite, friendly, helpful, and will safely and reliably take you to attractions, hotels, and airports/train stations.

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels.

Comfortable & Homelike Hotels

We offer a variety of accommodation options, including renowned five-star brand hotels, well-located four-star chain hotels, cost-effective three-star hotels, and boutique hotels reflecting local character. Excellent locations, comprehensive facilities, comfortable beds, excellent service, and guest feedback are all guaranteed. Whatever your accommodation preferences, our travel experts will do their best to find the most suitable accommodation for you. You can choose the most suitable accommodation based on your budget and preferences.

Generally, most hotels in China allow a maximum of three people to share a room. If your group has more than three people, we will check for family rooms or try our best to arrange connecting or adjacent rooms for you. Hotels offer a wide variety of Western and Chinese breakfasts.

For passengers on Yangtze River cruises, the cruise will provide a relaxing and enjoyable journey, including comfortable accommodations from Chongqing to Yichang. For passengers traveling to Mount Everest and Mount Kailash trekking in Tibet, accommodations are more basic. You will stay at the Everest Base Camp camp or a youth hostel. You will share a standard twin room (two beds) with your travel companions. Sharing a room is ideal if you are a family of two. If you wish to have your own room, you will need to pay a single room surcharge.

Meals.

Meals & Dining

“B” stands for breakfast. You will have it at your hotel in the morning. “L” stands for lunch.
“D” stands for dinner.

Please refer to the detailed itinerary for each day. Dinners are usually excluded.

Our group tour includes lunch at a popular local restaurant, allowing you to savor authentic Chinese cuisine. Your guide will assist you with ordering. Whether you prefer vegetarian, halal, Western, Nepalese, or gluten-free food, our experienced private guides can meet all your dietary needs. Please inform us of any dietary requirements when booking.

If you are interested in trying local cuisine, your private guide will be happy to recommend and take you to local restaurants such as Peking duck, Xi'an dumplings, Xinjiang hand-pulled rice, Sichuan/Chongqing hot pot, Yunnan stir-fry, Guizhou sour soup hot pot, and more.

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Custom tailored package to meet your needs across a wide range of levels travelling.
Complete and considerate returns, refund and exchange policies help you to prevent and minimize travel risk.
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