The Hosteller Dharamshala

Tucked into Bangatu Village against the Dhauladhar ranges, The Hosteller Dharamshala is a well-known backpacker hostel that genuinely welcomes pets - but only if you're booking a private room. It's an adults-only property with valley views, a rooftop terrace, and a vegetarian café, sitting about 17 km from Kangra Airport and close to the McLeodganj action.

What Pet Parents Need to Know

The pet policy here has one hard line: private room or no deal. Dorm bookers cannot bring pets, full stop - so make sure you're booking a private room before you head up. On the upside, there's no additional pet charge listed, which is a genuine relief when you're already budgeting for a mountain trip. The property is adults-only (18+), so it tends to be a calmer, more considerate crowd - generally a good thing when you're travelling with a dog.

The Setup for You and Your Dog

Each private room has a balcony, private bathroom, and en-suite facilities - so your dog won't be navigating shared spaces to find you. The rooftop terrace is the kind of spot that makes a Himalayan morning feel earned, and the common lounge area gives you somewhere to decompress after a day out on the trails. The vegetarian café handles food, and free WiFi covers the practical side of things. Do note there's no on-site parking, and there's currently an approximately 4 km unpaved road stretch before reaching the property - factor that in if you're driving up with your dog and gear.

Getting Here with Your Dog

The property is located at Khasra No 730, Bangatu Village - about 17 km from Gaggal (Kangra) Airport and roughly 90 km from Pathankot Junction railway station (around 3 hours by road). The mountain approach through pine forests and Tibetan-influenced villages is half the experience, but give yourself extra time for that unpaved stretch. The Hosteller's concierge app (Glu) can help arrange airport transfers if needed. Pre-arrival contactless check-in via the Glu app is mandatory, so complete that before you arrive.