In a world dominated by the hustle, 25-year-old Shreyas Danappa took a detour that transformed his life.

A Bengaluru native with a sheltered upbringing, Shreyas embarked on a solo journey to different places like Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir etc., during his college years, discovering a newfound independence that ignited his passion for travel.

Returning from his gap year, Shreyas, now addicted to the allure of exploration, sought unconventional paths to sustain his nomadic dreams.

From freelance content writing to running a homestay in Sikkim, teaching English to monks, and even venturing into content creation with a travel-focused YouTube channel, he immersed himself in diverse roles.

In 2021, Shreyas took a leap and launched Map My Stories, a project dedicated to curating immersive travel experiences.

Venturing beyond typical tourist destinations, Shreyas, an avid solo traveller, handcrafts journeys that blend nature, culture, and community engagement.

His unique approach involves spending weeks to months in remote villages, building connections, and curating mindful experiential journeys.

Collaborating with indigenous artists in Sikkim, Shreyas orchestrated a transformative travel program. In this program, participants engaged in painting a monastery, learned traditional crafts, brewed local beer, and connected with indigenous music.

These community-centric adventures not only offer travellers a unique experience but also support local economies.

Currently operating Map My Stories solo, Shreyas is selective about his clientele, preferring eco-conscious travellers respectful of local cultures.

Each seven-day package, accommodating four to six individuals, costs an average of ₹33,000 and encourages like-minded exploration within a supportive group.

Having led three groups to North Sikkim since March 2022, Shreyas plans to expand his curated journeys to Arunachal Pradesh.

As he dreams of taking his travellers abroad, he emphasizes firsthand exploration before adding destinations to the Map My Stories repertoire.

Shreyas envisions building a team of passionate travellers to lead future journeys, bridging the gap between wanderlust and community engagement.

Image Credit: Mapmystories Website Screenshot

Image Reference: https://www.mapmystories.com/