Haus of Shizu (Matena)

Haus of Shizu is a private homestay on the Kasar Devi ridge in Almora, Uttarakhand , and it may be the most genuinely dog-friendly stay in the mountains. The property is named after Shizu, a resident Shih Tzu who greets every guest at the gate, and the entire house , two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a rooftop with Himalayan sunrise views, and an outdoor garden , is handed over to one group at a time. When you book here, your dog has the run of the whole place from the moment you arrive, with no other guests, no shared corridors, and no strangers to navigate.

The Setting , Kasar Devi Ridge, Almora

Kasar Devi is a quiet, forested ridge above Almora town in Uttarakhand, sitting at around 2,100 metres above sea level. It has attracted artists, writers, and long-stay travellers for over a century , and critically for dog owners, it is low-traffic and uncrowded. There are no highway sounds, no resort-town chaos, and the roads around the property are walkable. Forest trails and open ridge paths begin right outside the gate, making long morning walks with your dog a practical reality rather than a planning exercise. Guests have specifically noted in Airbnb reviews that the property is close to Kasar Devi Temple and that roads nearby are very walkable , both useful facts if you're planning a trip where your dog sets the pace.

The house itself sits on the ridge with working-desk views of the Himalayas from both bedrooms. Room heaters are available in both rooms from October through March , worth knowing if you're travelling with a short-coated dog in shoulder season. Nights drop sharply even in summer at this altitude, so pack a warm layer for your pet regardless of when you visit.

What Dogs (and Their Owners) Actually Get Here

The practical setup for pet travellers is unusually thorough. Because the entire property is yours , no other guests' pets to negotiate, no lobby full of strangers , a reactive or anxious dog has the best possible chance of settling quickly. The property notes that there are local free-roaming dogs on the ridge, so they recommend keeping your dog leashed on early walks until everyone has been introduced. Water bowls are ready when you arrive; bring your dog's own towels and bedding since the property keeps water bowls but not linen for pets.

The outdoor garden has seating where your dog sits with you , not tied outside, not relegated to a separate area. The rooftop is yours too. The kitchen is fully equipped (gas stove, deep fridge, pressure cooker, full crockery, tava and kadhai) so you can cook your dog's meals exactly as you would at home. If you prefer not to cook, the property will stock the fridge before you arrive on request via WhatsApp, and there are dhabas and cafés along the Kasar Devi ridge within minutes. A local cook can be arranged with a day's notice.

Rates run from ₹3,000 per night for the whole house (2 guests) to ₹6,000 per night (5 guests). Midweek stays of five or more nights drop to ₹2,500 per night for the whole house. Parking is ₹150 per day right beside the property. Pets stay free , no pet fee, no breed surcharge, no per-night charge for your dog. Daily housekeeping is included throughout.

Getting There With a Dog

Almora is the nearest large town, approximately a three-hour drive from Kathgodam railway station on winding hill roads. The property's own pet travel guide notes that trains to Kathgodam allow dogs in first-class AC coupes with prior booking, or in the brake van , and that most guests find a private taxi from Kathgodam the least stressful option for dogs. Travel on a light stomach and stop once or twice on the ghat road. Kasar Devi itself is about 8 km from Almora town; the property can guide you on the exact approach. For emergencies, Almora town has veterinary services for routine care approximately 8 km away, and the property has offered to help guests get in touch if needed.

Resident Dog , Shizu

Shizu is a Shih Tzu who lives on the property and is, by the owners' own description, less a pet than a local landmark on this ridge. She is first to the gate when a car pulls in. The property is named after her and was designed around the idea that guests , and their dogs , shouldn't have to share space with strangers, because Shizu never did. She will almost certainly make friends with your dog before you've finished unpacking. The property does not indicate that Shizu can be removed or kept away from guests, so if your dog is not comfortable around other dogs, this is worth discussing directly with the hosts before booking.