8-Day Ili, Kalajun, Kuerdening & Nalati Group Tour
Overview
Combine Sayram Lake, Kalajun and Qiongkushitai with Kuerdening’s forest setting and Nalati on an eight-day Ili route. The sequence adds a forest-and-valley stop between the village landscapes and the final grassland visit, starting and ending through Urumqi.
Your Route Map
Route and pace
Duration: 8 days. Route: Urumqi – Ili – Sayram Lake – Kalajun – Qiongkushitai – Kuerdening – Nalati.
This route changes base frequently and has less uninterrupted time in Nalati than the version without Kuerdening. Ask about walking distances and the scenic transport used at each park. Road conditions and seasonal access determine the final order, especially for the return connection toward Urumqi.
Confirm your group departure
Request the dated programme for your party before booking. It should identify the meeting arrangements, guiding language, accommodation where applicable, included admissions and meals, and any optional activities. The day-by-day itinerary below shows the planned sequence; the written confirmation sets out the services and conditions for your departure.
Explore the destinations
Daily Itinerary
Arrive in Urumqi for the start of the Ili grassland and forest circuit. Meet the booked transfer, check in and confirm the next day's departure with the tour representative. Use any spare time for rest or a short walk near the hotel; the first day does not depend on completing a city sightseeing list.
Travel west from Urumqi toward Sayram Lake, with a selected lakeshore visit before continuing to Yining. Balance time beside the lake against the long intercity journey and the evening arrival. The guide chooses workable stops around wind, visibility and current access; a full lake circuit or extra lake activity is not automatically part of this transfer day.
Continue from Yining to the Kalajun grassland area for the first main landscape visit of the Ili section. Follow the confirmed scenic transport route, pausing for short walks and views where permitted. Check which entry zone and transport are included before departure, and keep enough time for the journey to the night's accommodation.
Explore Qiongkushitai's village and surrounding valley at a measured pace, allowing time for the approach road as well as the visit itself. Choose a short walking route suitable for the group's fitness and the day's conditions. This is a village and landscape visit; entering homes, horse riding or a longer trail requires separate arrangements.
Travel from Qiongkushitai toward Kuerdening, shifting from the open village landscape to a forested valley setting. Allow for winding local roads and check the scenic-area entry window before adding a walk on arrival. If the transfer takes longer, keep the first visit short and use tomorrow's forest time instead of rushing a trail near closing.
Spend the available morning in Kuerdening's forest landscape, using the open visitor routes and a walking distance agreed with the guide. Then continue toward Nalati for the next grassland section. The transfer and check-in remain part of the day's plan, so the forest visit should finish with a comfortable margin for the onward journey.
Use a clearly timed visiting window at Nalati before beginning the return connection toward Urumqi. The scenic transport circuit and departure time must work together; an unrestricted full day in the grassland cannot be assumed alongside a long return journey. Confirm the evening arrival and overnight arrangements before selecting tomorrow's onward ticket.
Depart from Urumqi after completing the return from Ili. The airport or railway-station transfer follows the schedule in your booking, with time allowed for luggage and terminal procedures. If the previous day's transport cannot reliably support the proposed departure, the travel plan must be adjusted before tickets are purchased.
