UNSUPPORTED BUT COORDINATED BIKEPACKING EVENT
GRAVELPACKING
INDIA
THE LADAKH HIGH-ALTITUDE LOOP
20 – 31 July, 2026
UNSUPPORTED BUT COORDINATED BIKEPACKING EVENT
GRAVELPACKING
INDIA
THE LADAKH HIGH-ALTITUDE LOOP
20 – 31 July, 2026
days
LADAKH HIGH-ALTITUDE LOOP
TOTAL ASCENT
TOTAL DESCENT
GRAVELPACKING INDIA
We’ll arrive in Leh (3,500 m altitude), where the first day is dedicated to acclimatisation, bike setup, and meeting all participants. This essential start allows everyone to adapt safely to the altitude before beginning our India Gravelpacking Tour through the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.
This is not a guided tour; it’s an event for bikepacking enthusiasts.
It’s a real high-mountain expedition, with stage locations that may shift as the journey unfolds.
Nights will be spent in traditional tea houses, and we’ll walk you through the full plan during the arrival-day briefing.
THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE YOU’VE BEEN
LOOKING FOR IF:
- You want to try bikepacking at high altitude for the first time.
- India is on your bucket list.
- You want to experience bikepacking across one country with a group.
- You’re craving adventure.
- You’re seeking a challenge.
- You want to travel in a unique way.
- You don’t want a guided tour.
Itinerary
We’ll arrive in Leh (3,500 m altitude), where the first day is dedicated to acclimatisation, bike setup, and meeting all participants. This essential start allows everyone to adapt safely to the altitude before beginning our India Gravelpacking Tour through the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.
THE LADAKH HIGH-ALTITUDE LOOP
Click on the image for more information about each day
ARRIVAL DAY
Leh: Aclimmatization & meeting the participants
3.500 M ALTITUDE
You’ll arrive in Leh (3,500 m altitude), where we gather as a group and settle in for our first day in Ladakh. The focus is on acclimatisation, meeting the team, and preparing both bikes and equipment. We’ll hold a full tour briefing covering the itinerary, safety guidelines, bike assembly, gear checks, and what to expect while riding at high altitude—leaving plenty of time to relax, explore Leh’s unique atmosphere, and let your body adapt before the journey truly begins.
Day 1
Leh: + Acclimmatization / Walks /
Briefing & bike reassembly
3500 m ACCLIMATISATION & BRIEFING DAY IN LEH
Bodies have to get used to the altitude, so another day for acclimatization, walks around, briefing, and bike reassembling.
Day 2
Leh -Upshi (3.400 M)
49.7 km | +557 m / -531 m
A gentle first stage designed for
acclimatization. Riding out of Leh, the route follows quiet valleys and secondary roads, gradually gaining altitude as it eases the body into the rhythm of Ladakh.
Day 3
Upshi -Rumste village (4.150 M)
28 km | +887 m / -126 m
The landscape opens up as the road turns rougher and more remote. A steady climb through wide valleys and high-altitude terrain leads to the traditional village of Rumtse, a true gateway to the mountains.
Day 4
Rumtse - Tanglang La (PASS-5.350 M)-Tsokar (4.565 M)
23.7 km | +1612 m / -650 m
A demanding and unforgettable stage. The climb to Tanglang La delivers one of the highest motorable passes in the world, followed by a dramatic descent into the vast, windswept plains surrounding the salt lake of Tso Kar.
Day 5
Resting day - Tso Kar (4,530 M)
4,530 m
A key rest and acclimatization day in the remote Tso Kar basin. Time to recover, explore the surroundings, adapt to altitude, and soak in the silence of the high plateau before continuing deeper into Ladakh.
Day 6
Tso Kar - Mahe (4.150 M)
60 km +708 m / -1,107 m
A wild and exposed stage across open high-altitude terrain, following vast plains and remote valleys.
Riding through the raw Ladakhi landscapes until reaching the small settlement of Mahe.
Day 7
Mahe - Tsaga (4.300 M)
68 km +769 m / -543 m
A quieter day linking remote villages
and valleys, riding along rivers and wide dirt tracks.
A transition stage that keeps building altitude awareness while enjoying the solitude of the region.
Day 8
Tsaga - Merak (4.255 M)
70 km +683 m / -698 m
One of the most scenic stages of the route. Rolling terrain leads toward the shores of Pangong Tso, finishing in Merak with unforgettable views of the iconic high-altitude lake.
Day 9
Merak - Durbuk (3900 M)
73 km +821 m / -1,081 m
Ride away from the shores of Pangong Tso through wide open valleys and remote high-altitude terrain.
A long, steady stage with dramatic landscapes and a gradual transition back toward lower elevations.
Day 10
Durbuk - Chang La (5360 M) - Sakti (3760 M)
64 km +1,732 m / -1,933 m
A demanding and iconic day crossing Chang La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world.
A tough climb is rewarded with vast
Himalayan views, followed by a long descent to the village of Sakti.
Day 11
Sakti - Leh (3.500 M)
47 km +392 m / -817 m
The final ride back to Leh, combining quieter secondary roads with valley riding.
A reflective stage to close the loop, easing back into civilization after days of high-altitude adventure.
Day 12
Leh (3.500 M)
A well-deserved rest day in Leh to recover, enjoy the town, adjust plans if needed, and soak in the unique atmosphere of Ladakh after the loop.
Also works as a buffer day into the itinerary to adapt to weather, altitude, road conditions, or personal rhythm — offering flexibility and peace of mind.
Day 13
Leh (3.500M)
Second contingency day to ensure a safe and relaxed experience, allowing for changes without pressure and keeping the adventure smooth and enjoyable.
Day 14
Flight from Leh
Departure day from Leh, marking the end of the journey after an unforgettable Gravelpacking adventure in the high Himalayas.
The oficial jersey of the event
UNSUPPORTED BUT COORDINATED CONCEPT
Our concept is simple: total freedom on the bike, with smart coordination running quietly in the background to keep the experience flowing. Riders choose their pace, their pauses, their effort, and their daily strategy — a pure unsupported style that keeps the journey authentic, personal, and fully self-reliant.
But unsupported doesn’t mean unorganized.
Behind the scenes, our team handles the essential logistics that make a high-altitude traverse like this possible, safe, and enjoyable. This includes coordinating tea-house availability along the route: making sure every rider knows the overnight villages, the lodging options in each place, and how to reach them at the end of their stage. You decide where to sleep — the structure is simply there when you need it.
Add to that our full route planning, GPS tracking support, altitude-aware checkpoints, and emergency coordination throughout the journey, creating the ideal balance: you ride free, while we keep the backbone of the event solid and reliable in the background.
This is what makes Gravelpacking India in Ladakh special:
independence on the bike, coordination off the bike — the spirit of Himalayan adventure, elevated.
Services
INCLUDED:
-
Every stage’s accommodation & dinner/breakfast
*Supporting the economy of the local families
*Starting from Arrival’s day, dinner & accommodation in Leh
*Finishing with last’s dinner & accommodation in Leh. -
Bikes & participants transfer from/to by vehicles from/to Leh Airport.
NOT INCLUDED:
-
International flights & visa
-
Travel insurance
-
Any meals not listed as included
Travel & Support Local Development
At The Gravelpackers, we believe that meaningful travel goes beyond the adventure itself. That’s why each of our trips is designed not only to offer unforgettable experiences, but also to contribute directly to the communities we visit. We work hand-in-hand with local partners, stay in family-run guesthouses, and collaborate with grassroots initiatives to ensure a positive impact on the ground.
10% of the profits from each event are dedicated to funding local development and/or charitable projects. Whether it’s supporting access to education, preserving cultural heritage, or contributing to causes that support underserved communities, our goal is to give back to the people and places that make our journeys so special.
Join us on a bikepacking adventure that not only challenges you physically, but also enriches the lives of others.
Travel with purpose – travel responsibly.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Check our FAQs section
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE COST
STANDARD
PRICE
1,375 €
Bringing your own mtb/gravel & bikepacking gear
RENTING
MTB
1,550 €
Renting MTB & Helmet
RENTING
bikepacking gear
1,890 €
Renting MTB & Helmet & Bikepacking gear
Rental bike: Hardtail
Bikepacking gear: Bikepacking bags
The price does not include flights.
The trip is subject to a minimum group size of 10 people.
Leh – Upshi – Rumtse Village – Tanglang La – Tso Kar – Mahe – Tsaga – Merak – Durbuk – Chang La – Sakti – Leh
Contact us
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We’re excited to share this incredible journey with you!