Welcome to Himalayan Mountain Dog Tour
Welcome to the booking page for Mountain Dog Tour for 2027! In this tour we will learn a lot about mountain dogs in India that live in the west side of the Himalayas in the Dhauladhar mountain range. This region is also home to the exiled Tibetan government and a lot of Tibetans live here - hence a huge influence of Buddhism. The way the dogs live with Indians, Tibetans and tourists is quite fascinating to observe.
Tour Dates (10 nights / 11 days)
The Mountain Dog Tour will be conducted from 24th April 2027 to 4th May 2027.
Number of Attendees
Minimum 6, Maximum 10
Tour Route
Start - Dharamshala (2 nights - 24 - 26 April)
The Mountain Dog Tours begins in Lower Dharamshala with an orientation in the morning followed by our first dog observation walk in the evening. The first day of the tour is intentionally light to help us get acclitamised to the environment, altitude and recover from jet lag.
On the second day, we will visit the famous Norbulinka Institute, a nunnery, and meet plenty of dogs along our walks!
Please note that the tour starts in Dharamshala. Connectivity to Dharamshala from Delhi is possible via flight (Indigo Airlines) / overnight bus (plenty of decent options) / train + bus (not recommended) / taxi. Airline flight schedule for April 2027 won't be announced until January so please keep in mind before booking any flight tickets.
Next Stop - Dharamkhot (2 nights - 26th - 28 April)
From Dharamshala we will drive north to Dharamkhot. This place is special because of the dogs - our hotel is home to 5 mountain dogs who are just incredible to be with! They stole our hearts in the 2026 tour and I'm sure they will do the same in 2027. The hotel is also situated conveniently to begin our trek to the mountains! We will also visit the Tibet Museum that will help us better understand the struggles of the Tibetans as they fled from their country to establish their base in India.
Next stop - Triund Trek (1 nights - 28 to 29 April)
From our hotel in Dharamkhot, we will begin our 4.5 mile walk to the top of the Triund. Situated at 2900 metres, Triund offers beautiful views of the western Himalayas on one side and the Kangra valley on the other. The trek is categorised as easy but it can be challenging for those who are not used to hiking. We will be assisted by local guides for our trek who have a beautiful property on the top for us to camp.
Next stop - Bhagsu (2 nights - 30 April to 1 May)
We will begin out walk down after having breakfast and make our way to the next hotel in Bhagsu, another small town in Dharamshala. Once we reach our hotel, we will use our day to rest, relax and have our in depth dog discussions.
Next stop - McLeodganj (3 nights - 1 May to 4 May)
From Bhagsu, we will take a short taxi ride to Mcleodganj, home of The Dalai Lama. If all goes well, and His Holiness is in good health, we will be applying to seek blessings from him during our visit. More information will be shared in due course.
In Mcleodganj we will get to know dogs in and around the temples, the markets, and forests in the region.
Our tour experience will be enhanced by local volunteers, feeders, researchers, and organisations that will provide us with more context and insight into the lives of the mountain dogs and the relationship they share with humans.
CEUs
We will apply for CEUs towards the necessary organisations. We had good success in 2025 but not so much in 2026 (I don't get it either). We will try again for 2027.
How to get to Dharamshala
Our Tour starts in Dharamshala. Dharamshala is easily accessible by road and by air.
Your international flight can be booked directly to Dharamshala or to New Delhi. Once at New Delhi, you can take a domestic flight to Dharamshala or take a taxi. Since different people would be coming from different parts, it is complicated to include the travel to Dharamshala from Delhi as a part of your tour. But I will be happy to help you with making a reservation for the same.
Costs
We're able to offer two prices for all attendees.
Double occupancy (all hotels) - $2300 per person
Single occupancy (all hotels) - $2800 person
Please note that there is a possibility of the price increase by 2% to 5% due to fluctuation in ticket prices for hotels and flights.
What is included in the price?
The price includes all of the following:
Stay
- 3 star hotels or homestays in Dharamshala, Mcleodgnaj and nearby villages
- Sleeping bags, blankets, tents during our Triund Trek
Travel within Dharamshala
- Local transport to villages, Mcleodganj, trek
Tourism
- Tickets to sightseeing locations
Workshops
- Pottery workshop in Dharamkhot
Guides
- Costs includes local guides for the trek
Local dog support groups
- Fees for local dog support groups
Taxes
- Price is inclusive of all Indian taxes
What does the price not include?
The tour price does not include the following:
Travel
- Flight to India
- Flight out of India
- Transport from New Delhi to Dharamshala
- Transport from Dharamshala to New Delhi
We advise that you book your own flights as per your convenience. You can book your flight return ticket from New Delhi and book a separate flight to Dharamshala. Or you can also get there by road. We will go over options to get to Dharamshala once your booking is confirmed.
Food
Food prices will vary largely on preferences and dietary restrictions. Hence we have decided to not include it in the price. We will still provide the best Indian food experience without compromising on hygiene. Based on individual preferences of food, drinks and snacks, the total cost of meals should fall between $2 to $8 per meal.
Visa
$25 is the Indian visa fee for US citizens. Please check your embassy website for visa application process.
Insurance
Please purchase travel insurance of your choice.
Shopping
Shopping is pretty cheap but will be at your own expense.
Vaccinations
India is a rabies endemic country. Please follow guidelines as suggested by your health department to take relevant vaccinations before commencing your tour. Please note that regardless of your rabies vaccination status, if you were to be scratched or bitten by a dog, we will arrange an anti-rabies vaccine for you immediately.
Emergencies
We hope there aren't any but any emergencies that may occur won't be covered by the tour organisers.
Payment plans
The India tour is for you and we understand coming up with a large payment may not be convenient. We are therefore offering a zero interest payment plan as follows:
| Payment |
Due Date |
Single Occupancy |
Double Occupancy |
| First (reserve your spot) |
Time of spot reservation (May 2026) |
$200 |
$200 |
|
Second
|
1 July 2026 |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Third
|
1 August 2026 |
$500 |
$500 |
| Fourth |
1 September 2026 |
$500 |
$500 |
| Fifth |
10 January 2027 |
$600 |
$100 |
|
Sixth
|
15 April 2027 |
$500 |
$500
|
In case you would like to pay the whole amount up front, we can set that up for you as well.
Refund Policy
Unfortunately (mainly due to taxes), refunds won't be possible for the payments already made based on the payment plan above. Your refund would be the money that you would have to pay later.
For people with Allergies/ Physical disabilities / Issues with walking
The Mountain Dog Tour requires you to be physically fit since most of our time walking will be on uneven terrain. The Kareri Lake trek is generally considered moderate in difficulty. It involves a mix of steep climbs and gradual ascents, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers with some level of fitness.
The mountain dog tour is also not recommended for those who have heart conditions, as we will go on an overnight trek. If you have issues that won't make it possible for you to join the trek, then we can still host you on the tour (except the trek). A detailed health form is required for the trek and decision made by the trek organisers will have to be accepted with respect to the safety of individuals and the group.
The tour is also challenging for people having allergies (especially gluten) since food options in the mountains are often containing gluten products.
Age requirement
We require all attendees to be adults and over the age of 18 to attend this tour.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the tour, please reach out on kapil@getfloof.com. You can also WhatsApp on +91 904 905 6193 or find Kapil on facebook messenger (Kapil Patwardhan)
