Folktales Residency

Folktales Residency sits on the Sangla-Chitkul Road in Rakchham, a quiet village in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh — one of the most dramatic stretches of mountain road in India. This is a stay that leans hard into the kind of stillness you only find this deep in the Himalayas: mountain and garden views, a restaurant with a traditional ambience, and a host (named Ishan in multiple reviews) who guests consistently describe as attentive and present. Pets are welcome here at no extra charge, dogs are allowed inside rooms, and the property has confirmed pet bowls are available on site.

The Setting

Rakchham sits at altitude between Sangla and Chitkul — the last inhabited village before the road ends at India's last village on the Baspa River. Folktales Residency draws its name from this identity: a place where tradition and local culture are not decorative but structural. Guests at this pet friendly stay in Sangla valley get rooms with private bathrooms, mountain or garden views, electric kettles, dining tables, and free toiletries. The property has a sun terrace, a lush garden, a lounge, and a games room. Guests rated it 9.2 out of 10 for cleanliness on Booking.com — a meaningful number at this altitude where dust and mud are constant companions for dogs and their people.

The Baspa Valley road is narrow and winding, which means Rakchham itself sees very little through-traffic. Reviewers consistently use the word "peace" to describe the experience here. One Google reviewer put it plainly: "This place is for those who loves peace." For pet parents travelling with dogs, that low-footfall, high-altitude setting translates to open air, mountain walks, and a village where your dog is unlikely to be the most unusual thing anyone has seen.

Pet Policy — What's Confirmed

Folktales Residency allows pets at no extra charge — no breed restrictions, no size limits mentioned. Dogs are allowed inside guest rooms, which is the detail that matters most if you're travelling with a large dog or a dog that doesn't settle well in unfamiliar spaces. The ground floor is open to pets; the upper floor library area is not. This is a reasonable and sensible boundary, and worth keeping in mind if your dog tends to follow you everywhere.

Pet bowls are available on the property — listed under General amenities on Booking.com. What the property does not supply is a pet blanket. At Rakchham's altitude, nights get cold even in summer, so pack a travel blanket for your dog regardless of season. That's the one thing to prepare for before you arrive. The Booking.com listing states "Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable" — but direct confirmation to our team established that there is currently no pet fee charged.

Food, Activities, and What Else to Expect

The restaurant at Folktales Residency serves Indian, Chinese, and European cuisine, with breakfast options that span continental, American, full English, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. For a property at this location — roughly 248 km from Shimla Airport, deep in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh — this is a notably broad kitchen. The property also offers cooking classes, tours about local culture, themed dinner nights, movie nights, and temporary art galleries on site. Hiking and fishing are available as off-site activities at an additional charge.

There is a fitness centre, a shared lounge, an indoor play area, board games, and a games room. Free parking is available — relevant if you're road-tripping up from Delhi or Chandigarh with your dog. The property has a curfew between 22:00 and 06:00, so late-evening walks need to happen before gates close. Check-out is between 07:00 and 10:00, which is early — worth factoring in if you're travelling with a dog who needs a morning walk before packing up.

Guests travelling with dogs will find the garden and outdoor seating area useful for your dog to decompress after a long mountain drive. The property's setting near the confluence of pine forests and the Baspa river valley means there's real terrain to explore on foot once you're settled in. This is a genuine dog friendly stay in Sangla valley for pet parents who want altitude, quiet, and a host who's earned consistent five-star reviews for attentiveness.