Adventure is always better shared… especially when your partner-in-crime has four legs, button eyes, and an endless appetite for new smells.

 

Ever since Coco trotted into our lives, travel has never been the same. He’s no longer a pet who stays back — he’s a full-fledged member of the itinerary. There’s a special kind of magic in seeing a new trail, a range of mountains, or a quiet coastal sunset through his curious little eyes.

 

But as any seasoned pet traveler knows (and newbies learn the hard way), traveling with a dog in India — especially planning a Himalayas trip with a dog — takes more than just a leash and a dream. From planning routes and finding pet-friendly stays in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, to handling flight paperwork, anxiety management, packing the right essentials, and mastering the art of the potty pit stop — we learned it all one paw at a time.

 

Hello! We’re Sree and Rito, based in Chennai, and we’re paw-rents to a baby boy named Coco — a toy poodle with big mountain dreams.

 

Notwithstanding his under-the-seat size, his travel expectations are strictly business class. His small stature makes flying easier, but his sensitive nature means every trip requires military-grade planning… with snacks.

 

This blog shares our real experience of traveling to the Himalayas with a dog — from Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh — including flight preparation, paperwork, packing tips, and pet-friendly stays in India.

 

Traveling to Kashmir with a Dog: Bunnu’s Real Winter Travel Experience

Preparing for the Flight

 

🐾 Coco’s Logbook: “The Big Flying Box”

They brought out The Bag again. The one with zips.
At first, I was suspicious.
Then came the treats.
And suddenly, The Bag became… acceptable.

 

Before anything else, we invested in the right airline-approved carrier and spent days familiarizing Coco with it. Food bribery worked wonders. Soon, the carrier wasn’t a prison… it was his Safe Den.

 

If you're planning on flying with a dog in India, this step is non-negotiable. Comfort before travel reduces stress inside the aircraft.

 

Pet-Friendly Airlines in India

 

Currently, only Akasa Air and Air India allow pets in-cabin for domestic travel. Each airline has its own rules, and understanding them before booking is crucial.

 

Both airlines allow only two pets per flight, so calling customer care to confirm slot availability is non-negotiable. While Air India  followed a First-Come-First-Serve policy, that has thankfully changed.

 

We personally prefer Akasa Air - they allow a slightly larger carrier, offer complimentary priority check-in with window seats, and the crew is genuinely pet-friendly. The only downside? Limited routes from Chennai. Coco is still negotiating this.

 

Planning the Route

● Himachal Trip :- Chennai → Drive to Bengaluru → Akasa flight to Delhi → Road trip through Himachal → Return flight from Delhi

● Ladakh Trip :- Bengaluru → Mumbai → Srinagar (flight) Srinagar → Kargil → Zanskar → Leh → Kargil → Srinagar (by car) (20 days. Endless mountains. Infinite smells.)

 

The Paperwork (aka “Adulting for Coco”)

 

Before booking, we emailed Akasa pictures and dimensions of Coco’s carrier along with his vaccination records. Once approved, we booked early and paid ₹7,500 per flight for Coco.

 

Yes..!! He got his own ticket.
“Yes…!!!” we squealed.

 

Two days before travel, Coco visited his vet for a Fit-to-Fly certificate (required within 72 hours). He behaved like a perfectly responsible adult — completely unaware that he would soon scream dramatically inside an aircraft.

 

For return journeys, you’ll need to repeat this process — so always line up a vet at your destination.

 

We carried:- 

1. Multiple copies of vaccination & deworming records
2. Signed indemnity forms
3. All original documents (non-negotiable!)

 

If you’re traveling with a dog in India by air, paperwork preparation is critical.

 

Packing for the Trip

 

Coco had a ticket, but no luggage allowance.
So naturally… we sacrificed our clothes.

 

Traveling to the Himalayas with a dog means packing smart. We carried his food, meds, travel bowls, toys, pee-pads, and a comfort mat to keep him settled during long drives and flights.

 

Mountain weather in places like Manali and Ladakh can be harsh, so sweaters, insulated jackets, and protective shoes were must-haves. By the end of it, Coco had more winter outfits than both of us combined.

 

And of course — a few bandanas and travel-friendly outfits, because comfort comes first… but style isn’t far behind.

 

Coco’s Packing Notes

 

They packed my food. Good.
They packed my toys. Very good.
They packed tiny jackets. EXCELLENT.
Why are they packing fewer clothes for themselves?
Not my problem.

Essentials We Never Skip :-

• Meds :- Especially crucial for high-altitude destinations like Ladakh
• Food :- Kibble + wet food + assurance of eggs, chicken & veggies at homestays
• Warm Clothing :- In Manali (Feb), temps dipped to -15°C - decked in sweaters,
  jackets and body warming pouches, he looked like a tiny Himalayan explorer... who
  refused to walk and demanded to be carried inside Dadda’s jacket.
• Potty Tray & Pee Pads :- Coco is indoor-trained, so this is always with us. You also
  need the pee-pads placed inside the crate for the flight

 

The Check-In Experience

 

Web check-in isn’t allowed when traveling with pets, so we reach the airport at least 3 hours early.

 

Officially, pets must stay inside the carrier.
Unofficially, Coco toured the airport on a luggage trolley like a retired celebrity.

 

Still, we recommend keeping them inside the crate post-security to avoid last-minute stress.

 

At Akasa’s counter, the moment we declared “traveling with a pet,” we were fast-tracked.

 

Coco was weighed (carrier + dog under 10 kg), paperwork verified, and boarding passes issued smoothly.

 

During security, Coco comes out of the carrier, the bag goes through the scanner, and Coco gets a manual check — while being told he’s a very good boy.

 

In-Flight Experience

 

🐾 Coco’s Review

First flight :-
I cried. They held me. I cried more.

Second trip :-
I slept. They ate snacks.

I am now a frequent flyer.

Our first flight was anxious — for all of us. But by Ladakh, Coco had turned pro and slept peacefully under the seat, giving us a chance to enjoy Akasa’s meals guilt-free.

 

Getting on the Road

We always inform drivers in advance that we’re traveling with a pet - avoids awkwardness
later.

Coco is a road-trip champ, happily handling 13–14 hour drives, which made exploring
Himachal and Ladakh a breeze.

 

Pet-Friendly Stays

Since we usually take the path less taken to find offbeat places, we prefer homestays to
larger hotels or resorts. Himachal and Ladakh are incredibly pet-friendly, especially when it
comes to homestays. Airbnb and Instagram have been goldmines for us.

Some favorites :-

● Sethan Heights Homestay, near Manali – snowy wonderland, soul-soothing views
and lots of love from all the hoomans.

● The Villster, Kalga Village - Glass walled rooms overlooking the snowy peaks and
warm cozy common room full of board games to spend the evenings

● The Vintage Villas, Leh - The rooms were warm and comfortable, the humans were
kind, and Coco was served food that clearly required effort.

● The Creek, Diskit (Nubra Valley) - spacious rooms, warm hospitality, serene, and
indulgent in all the right ways. Coco happily explored every corner like it was his
personal kingdom.

● The Cho House, Tirido – This boutique farmstay welcomed Coco right into the dining
room while we enjoyed warm and hearty home-cooked meals made from ingredients
plucked right out of the little farm in front

 

In some cases, Coco’s Instagram profile and his hypoallergenic charm sealed the deal.
Proof that influencers come in all sizes and species.

 

Exploring the Mountains - Coco Takes Over

 

The mountains smelled... ancient.
Every rock told a story.
Every lake needed my signature.

From hikes to Kalga village, snow walks in Sethan (mostly inside Dadda’s jacket), to monastery climbs in Ladakh - Coco was welcomed everywhere, even into the sacred prayer halls.

 

He proudly “claimed” Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, and countless other lakes, one strategic pee stop at a time.

 

The most magical hike - The trail to Tar village - through canyons, streams, and apricot groves - ending in a hamlet of just 12 houses, untouched by chaos.

 You can even stay in one of the houses as a guest if you are ready to experience the most rustic ladakhi cuisine,hand churned butter made from fresh cow milk, the salted Ladakhi Tea and most importantly the sustainable Ladakhi dry toilet. If any adventurous soul is planning to visit Ladakh, this is a must visit. Peace lives there. And yes, Coco approves it.

 

Signing Off...

This brings us to the end of our “little” blog on traveling with your pet. Each journey has
taught us something new and we can’t wait to share detailed stories from each trail we’ve
walked (and sniffed).

The travel bug has bitten us again, and we’re already dreaming of exploring Kashmir - this
time on eight legs, with one tiny dictator deciding all the snack breaks.
Until then - Woofs, nose boops, and endless tail wags.

Read More

• How to Plan a Trip to Kashmir with Your Dog – Complete Travel Guide
• Best Dog Photoshoot Ideas- Cute, Creative & Easy at Home

 

FAQ -  Traveling to the Himalayas with a Dog

 

1. Can I travel to the Himalayas with my dog in India?
Yes, but you must follow airline rules, carry proper documents, and plan high-altitude precautions.

 

2. Which airlines allow dogs in cabin in India?
Currently, Akasa Air and Air India allow pets in cabin for domestic flights.

 

3. Is Ladakh safe for dogs?
Yes, but high-altitude preparation and vet consultation are necessary.

 

4. What documents are required for flying with a dog in India?
Vaccination records, Fit-to-Fly certificate (within 72 hours), and airline approval.