Dog Study Tours
India
Resilience. Coexistence. Freedom.
Learn more about free living dogs through
an immersive journey across India.
This is a classroom without walls, where the streets of India provide a masterclass in the art of living. We don't just watch dogs; we immerse ourselves in their world to unlearn human biases and re-learn the mechanics of social intelligence and survival. Through this high-impact experience, you will witness resilience and coexistence in their rawest forms, gaining a practical, life-shifting education that no book or course can provide.
The Classroom
From urban spaces to hills & beaches, we will travel across different parts of India, observing dogs in different contexts and environments.
The Curriculum
Observation-based ethology, canine ecology, social dynamics, and human-dog relationship through the dog's perspective.
The Experience
A week and a half of immersive field study, local culture, and personal growth.
Photos from 2025 Dog Study Tours
What do we do in the Dog Study Tours?
-
Learning through observation - we take two walks every day to observe dogs in their natural environments (streets, train stations, beaches, hills, markets, etc)
-
Dialogue - we gather and discuss all that we have learnt in our walks. The discussions are guided by professors at University of Technology, Sydney's Centre for Compassionate Conservation.
-
Local culture - we soak in all the diversity India has to offer - food, music, arts, religion, transportation, etc.
-
Engage - we meet local care givers who look after the free living dogs. We learn about their stories, the impact of dogs on humans, and the impact of humans on dogs.
-
LEGS - We study the L(egs), E(nvironment), G(enetics), and S(elf) of free living dogs as taught by Kim Brophey in her course.
What do the tour participants have to say?
About your Tour Guide
Hi! I'm Kapil Patwardhan
If 10 years ago someone had told me that I would be taking people around India, facilitating a learning experience with street dogs, I would have laughed more than I do while watching a Seinfeld episode.
A little over a decade ago, I was slowly introduced to dog welfare world by my parents who would volunteer at adoption camps. In 2018, I officially started working full time for dogs and have since helped 1000s of puppies find their forever homes. But it always felt like something was incomplete. So I started learning about behaviour, evolution and human-dog relationship. I finished the Advanced Dog Behaviour Diploma from Nordic Dog Education Centre for Dog Trainers, and the LEGS course from Kim Brophey. Since then I have been involved in various research projects with dogs in India, written a children's book, and actively involved in helping communities coexist with dogs.
Now I've stumbled upon this incredible opportunity to show the dogs I care for to so many people from around the world. I will be your guide, philosopher and friend while you're in India.
- Kapil Patwardhan
2026 Dog Study Tours
After the success of our tours in 2025, we will head to two new places in 2026!
Sri Lanka Dog Study Tour
Explore the wonderful island country of Sri Lanka that is home to around 2 million free living dogs. There is plenty to learn from the dogs, the humans, wildlife and how they all coexist in complex systems. The tour will also take you to Udawalawe National Park for a full day ethical safari observing free elephants and birds.
Tour Dates - Feb 27 - Mar 9 2026
NOW FULLY BOOKED
Mountain Dog Study Tour
Head to the Himalayas to do a focussed study tour of the Indian mountain dogs. Our tour will be held in and around Dharamshala, the home of the exiled Tibetan government. Set along the beautiful landscape of the western Himalayas, the mountain dogs live interesting lives with Indians, and Tibetan monks.
Tour Dates - Apr 23 - May 3 2026
NOW FULLY BOOKED
2027 Dog Study Tours - India
Tour 1 - 16 to 26 January 2027 (Maximum of ten participants)
Tour 2 - 13 to 23 February 2027 (Maximum of ten participants)
After a gap of two years, all over India tours will return in 2027. The tours will take you through different parts of India, as we learn from dogs in different environments, climates, and cultures. We will also engage with local volunteers, dog feeders, and caregivers who will teach us more about dog-human relationship in India. Themes that usually come up are coexistence, freedom, and common sense.
The Dog Study Tours isn't a touristy tour. We will live, walk, and experience life like locals.
CEUs will be awarded for all tour participants.
We have one bursary spot available for a participant from the LEGS community. Please reach out to Kapil (kapil@getfloof.com) for more information.
Specialists for 2027 Tours
Our 2027 tours take group learning a little further with the inclusion of international domain specialists who will join in for the full duration of the tours, sharing their expertise and knowledge with the group.
5 Cities, 11 Days, Countless Dogs
Mumbai
We start our tour with two days in Mumbai, witnessing dogs in a densely populated urban environment.
New Delhi
We then spend a day in New Delhi, looking at dogs cared for by local communities, and learn more about networks set up by dog caregivers.
Pune
We then spend three days in Pune, witnessing dogs in universities, hills, rural spaces, and visit Kapil's home.
Agra
We then spend two days in Agra, visiting the Taj Mahal and looking at dogs in and around a tourist site. The tour ends on our return back to New Delhi from Agra.
Goa
We then spend two days in Goa, mainly looking at dogs by the beach.
List of Cities
Day 1 & 2 - Mumbai
Day 3 to 5 - Pune
Day 6 & 7 - Goa
Day 8 - New Delhi
Day 9 & 10 - Agra
Day 11 - New Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
The All over India Tour starts in Mumbai and ends in New Delhi. We will visit multiple cities in our journey across India.
Day 1 Mumbai
The first day is intentionally slow and relaxed.
We start our orientation at 11 am, going over ground rules for observing dogs, and cultural context so ensure our walks are enjoyable for everyone.
We will go for our first walk in the evening at Bandra promenade. We’ll see plenty of free living dogs as well as pet dogs.
Day 2 Mumbai
We start our day with a walk to the train station in the morning, observing dogs along the way. We will then take a train journey from Bandra to South Mumbai, experiencing a daily commute of locals. However, our travel is planned on a Sunday, with a negligible crowd, so that we don’t die.
After a meal in South Mumbai, we will head back to our hotel. In the evening, we will meet for our first group dialogue session. These are curated discussions that enable everyone to express freely in a safe environment. Our individual and shared learnings have been a highlight of previous tours.
Day 3 Mumbai to Pune
Day 3 is our first long travel day. We will start our day with a short walk around our hotel. We will check out of our hotel at 11 am and then travel to Pune by road. The journey will take about 4 hours with a snack and rest stop in between. Once we check in to our Pune hotel, we will rest for a while before heading out for our first observation walk in Kapil’s city.
Day 4 Pune
We start our day early with a visit to a famous university, observing dogs living inside the campus. After we’re back at our hotel, we will sit for our second group dialogue session. In the evening, we will take a walk in a residential area, and a visit to a pet store.
Day 5 Pune
We start our day early again, going to the hill with Kapil’s dogs and his dog friends. The peaceful walk in nature will see us meet dogs that live on the hill, along with pet dogs that will join us for the walk.
After our walk, we will head over to Kapil’s house for breakfast. We will do our next group dialogue session at Kapil’s house, play some darts (optional), and relax with the dogs until lunch time.
Lunch is scheduled at a traditional restaurant, serving us the most authentic food from Pune city.
After an eventful morning and meal, we will rest for the afternoon. In the evening, we will head out for our final observation walk in Pune. In our time in Pune, we will meet many volunteers who will share more knowledge regarding life of dogs in the city.
Day 6 Pune to Goa
We will take a one hour flight from Pune to Goa. In Goa, we will focus our observations to the dogs that live by the beach. We will also have plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind by the sea.
Day 7 Goa
Besides our dog observation walks, we will visit a sanctuary that is home to cats, dogs, and cattle. We will learn more about how dogs and other animals get help from humans in the state. We will sit for our next group dialogue session.
Day 8 Goa to New Delhi
We will take a 2.5 hour flight from Goa to New Delhi, capital of India. In New Delhi, we will meet local caretakers and learn more about human-dog conflict and programs in place to help dogs in the city.
Day 9 New Delhi to Agra
We will head to Agra, taking a train from New Delhi. We will stay in a hotel close to the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is beautiful at different times in the day. We will visit the monument that afternoon, spending extra time observing dogs around the monument. The Taj Mahal can be a bit chaotic so we will take time to decompress from visiting the monument.
Day 10 Agra To New Delhi
There will be an optional second visit to the Taj Mahal for sunrise. After we check out, we will take the train again back to New Delhi. Once in New Delhi, we will meet for our final group dialogue session. Our tour will end on the 10th day with a group dinner.
Day 11 New Delhi
Day 11 is reserved for optional activities (shopping, massage, etc), depending your flight schedule. Flights out of Delhi can be booked any time on day 11, as per your preference. Many flights out of Delhi are early in the morning between 1 am to 4 am. These options are also ok to take.
Tour Costs and Inclusions
Tour costs USD 2800 / GBP 2100 / EUR 2400 (Single occupancy)
Tour costs USD 2300 / 1750 GBP / EUR 2000 (Double occupancy)
($200 spot reservation fee. No added interest flexible payment plans available)
Hotels
3 star or better hotels with breakfast included
Special Experiences
All activities that give a better context of local culture (for example workshops, Taj Mahal tickets, hikes, etc)
Domestic Travel
Flights, Trains, Buses, Airport transfers - All transportation within India
Materials
Notepad, Tote bag, T-shirt and other useful items during the tour
Local Support
Fees for local support that help in curating our dog observation sessions
Taxes & Giveback Funds
Includes all local taxes and service charges, plus support for local dog volunteers in all cities
Want to experience the tour in 2027?
Dog Study Tour FAQs
Step into their freedom, learn from their resilience, and leave with a perspective that changes everything.