Trip Highlights
Historic Trail: Trek the ancient Wusun Trail, a key route connecting the Wusun and Kucha kingdoms, witnessing millennia of cultural exchange. Explore cliff inscriptions, ancient fortresses, plank roads, and centuries-old tombs.
Stunning Nature: Discover alpine meadows, gorges, glaciers, and pristine lakes, including the serene Paradise Lake. High-altitude passes and crystal-clear rivers offer breathtaking scenery.
Challenging Trek: Cover around 120 km over 6 days, with steep ascents, rapid descents, river crossings, and untouched wilderness. Encounter Uyghur and Kazakh villages and local wildlife.
Delicious Outdoor Meals: Enjoy nutritious, energy-packed meals prepared for trekking, combining local flavors with convenience.
Unique Campsites: Stay in wooden cabins, yurts, and luxury tents, equipped with charging facilities. Sleep under the stars in peaceful natural surroundings.
Expert Guides: Certified guides ensure safety, offer photography tips, and create a supportive, enjoyable trekking experience.
- Itinerary
D1 | Arrival in Yining
Arrive in Yining and check in at the meeting hotel. Early arrivals can explore local highlights like Kazanchi Bazaar and Six-Star Street for food and photo opportunities. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring local specialties. Pre-trek briefing by the guide includes equipment check and safety instructions.
Meals: Dinner included
Accommodation: Yining hotel
D2 | Yining – Tekes – Qiongkushitai – Valley Camp
Morning departure to Tekes to stock up on supplies. Explore the unique Tekes Eight-Trigram City, designed based on the Bagua layout with eight streets radiating from the center. After lunch, drive to Qiongkushitai village, your trekking starting point. Afternoon light trek along Qiongkushitai River, through pine forests and wooden bridges, to the valley camp at 2462m.
Trek Distance: 12 km | Duration: ~5 hrs | Elevation gain: 500m
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner included; Lunch self-arranged
Accommodation: Valley Camp (wooden cabin)
D3 | Valley Camp – Qiongdaban Pass – Kunosayi Camp
Trek to Qiongdaban Pass (3744m), the most challenging section of the trek. Navigate rocky slopes, wetlands, and river crossings. Descend along Kunosayi to camp at 2900m.
Trek Distance: 16 km | Duration: ~6 hrs | Elevation gain: 1170m
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner included; Lunch self-arranged
Accommodation: Kunosayi Camp (yurt)
D4 | Kunosayi – Kokusu River – Grassland Station Camp
Trek through dense forest and multiple river crossings to the turquoise Kokusu River. Continue to Grassland Station Camp, a serene spot surrounded by rivers and forests.
Trek Distance: 24 km | Duration: ~10 hrs | Elevation gain: 500m
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner included; Lunch self-arranged
Accommodation: Grassland Station Camp (yurt)
D5 | Grassland Station – Kokuala-Piaogou – Paradise Lake
Hike along secluded forest trails, cross the Kokuala-Piaogou gorge, and ascend to 3100m Dao Feng Pass. Reach Paradise Lake Camp, a pristine alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks.
Trek Distance: 10 km | Duration: ~5 hrs | Elevation gain: 780m
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner included; Lunch self-arranged
Accommodation: Paradise Lake Camp (luxury tent)
D6 | Paradise Lake – Second Lake – Akbulak Pass – Bozikirige Valley
Morning photography of sunrise, then trek past Second Lake and Akbulak Pass (3400m). Descend ~1100m into the Bozikirige Valley, enjoying riverside tranquility.
Trek Distance: 21 km | Duration: ~9 hrs | Elevation gain: 800m
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner included; Lunch self-arranged
Accommodation: Bozikirige Valley Camp (yurt)
D7 | Bozikirige Valley – Heiying Mountain – Kuqa Hotel
Final day trek (~30 km) with multiple river crossings. Witness wild ibex along cliffs, then reach Heiying Mountain pass, the trek’s endpoint. Transfer to Kuqa hotel for a celebratory dinner.
Trek Distance: 30 km | Duration: ~10 hrs | Elevation loss: 900m
Meals: Breakfast, Celebration Dinner included; Lunch self-arranged
Accommodation: Kuqa Hotel (double room)
D8 | Departure from Kuqa
Tour concludes. Optionally, extend your journey to southern Xinjiang or return via Duku Highway to Urumqi, experiencing more stunning landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast included; Lunch & Dinner self-arranged
Inclusions
Transportation: Private vehicle service in Yining and Kuqa, with vehicle type selected according to group size.
Accommodation: Standard lodging as per itinerary – 1 night in Yining hotel, 1 night in Kuqa hotel, 5 nights in camp tents or wooden cabins.
Meals: Two hotel breakfasts, daily breakfast & dinner during trekking; welcome dinner and closing feast included.
Guide: Certified professional outdoor trekking guide (salary, transportation, accommodation, meals, allowances included).
Horses: Pack animals for carrying trekking gear, including handler fees (maximum 15 kg per person).
Equipment: Tents, sleeping pads, 150L shared pack, fuel, stove, cookware, selected utensils, communication devices, and other shared equipment.
Other Services: Outdoor insurance and driver allowances.
Note: Heavy-pack participants’ accommodation, welcome and closing dinners included; trekking meals are self-provided. Gas canisters not included; all ingredients must be self-supplied.
Exclusions
Round-trip flights or transportation to Yining/Kuqa.
Trekking lunches (self-provided).
Personal expenses or unforeseen costs.
Optional or complimentary activities not attended.
Note: Additional costs may arise from extreme weather, policy changes, or other uncontrollable factors affecting the itinerary.
Complimentary Gifts
Welcome dinner and closing feast (non-refundable if not attended).
High-coverage outdoor accident insurance.
Magic headscarf.
Seasonal fruit tasting.
120 km completion medal 🏅.
Groups of 12+ receive a whole lamb for a traditional feast.
Groups of 30+ enjoy a Kazakh-style “sheep wrestling” performance, immersing participants in local culture.
Optional Services
Sleeping bag rental at campsites (full trip 300 CNY, single day 100 CNY).
Shared 150L pack free; single-person use requires additional fee.
Single-room supplement at hotels or campsites; contact customer service.
Internet at Paradise Lake campsite (150 CNY/GB).
Horse riding 500 CNY/day; river crossing by horse 30 CNY/ride (safety self-managed).
Payment & Cancellation Policy
Deposit: 50% to confirm booking; remaining balance due 10 days before trip.
Cancellation >15 days before departure: deposit transferable to next trip.
Cancellation 15–10 days before departure: deposit non-refundable.
Cancellation <10 days: full fee non-refundable.
Mid-trip withdrawal for personal reasons (illness, fatigue, rescue) not refunded; participant bears all costs and risks.
Uncontrollable factors (weather, natural disasters, policy, strikes, road closures) may cause itinerary changes or cancellations; additional costs are participant’s responsibility.
Gear List
Shared Equipment: Satellite communication, walkie-talkies, GPS, maps, compass, ropes, slings, carabiners.
Personal Gear
Daypack (28–35L): Carry daily essentials; must include shell jacket, raincoat, down jacket.
Camp gear: Tent, sleeping pad, stove, cookware, fire starter, water bag, gas canisters (2 per person recommended, club assists purchase), personal utensils, down sleeping bag (≥1000g).
Clothing: Shell jacket & pants, fleece layers, 2 sets of quick-dry clothes, lightweight down jacket, long-sleeve rain jacket.
Footwear & Socks: Hiking boots, river shoes, gaiters, waterproof socks, 3 pairs thick socks.
Other Essentials
Backpack/rucksack (heavy pack ≥60L; light packers get 150L waterproof pack; additional 30L daypack needed), gloves, trekking poles, headlamp with spare batteries, sunglasses, waterproof bags (2 large + 1 small), thermos, sun hat, sunscreen, lip balm, camera, extra batteries, power bank, charging cables, cash, ID, personal items.
Note: Light-pack, meal-included participants must bring their own sleeping bag (≥1000g down).
Food & Medicine
Food: Participants must supply meals for 6 days trekking (5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners); meal-included participants only need daily trail meals.
Water: Minimum 3L per day; water sources available along route; bottled water/soft drinks sold locally.
Medicine: Personal medication (cold, anti-inflammatory, painkillers, gastrointestinal, allergy, altitude sickness, insect repellent, etc.). Club only provides basic first aid supplies.
Important Notes
Trekking involves high physical exertion and inherent risks; participants must evaluate health and fitness.
Suitable for ages 18–60; younger or older participants require adult accompaniment.
High-risk individuals (heart conditions, high blood pressure, infectious disease, post-surgery, pregnancy) should not participate.
Trekking is a team activity; individualistic behavior not allowed.
Follow team discipline; no solo action, unauthorized climbing, river crossing, or environmental damage.
Fire safety strictly enforced; only controlled use at campsites.
Carry sufficient gear, food, and water; take full responsibility for personal actions.
Weather can change rapidly; bring layers and adapt clothing accordingly.
Minimize environmental impact; carry out all trash.
Respect local ethnic customs; friendly gestures recommended even with language barriers.
Leave a Reply