Monica Gupta of Travel With Shades Is Redefining Travel Storytelling for a New Generation of Indian Explorers

Jaipur, India – In an age where travel content is often dominated by luxury experiences and picture-perfect destinations, Monica Gupta is building a different narrative. As the founder of Travel With Shades, the young travel journalist and content creator is using travel as a tool for cultural understanding, storytelling, and meaningful human connection.

At just 20 years old, Monica has traveled to 70 countries across 6 continents, making her one of India’s most accomplished young travelers. Her remarkable journey has earned her recognition from the Influencer Book of World Records and established her as an emerging voice in travel media.

What sets Monica apart is her approach to storytelling. Rather than focusing solely on tourist attractions, she documents cultures, traditions, border regions, local communities, and human-interest stories that often remain unseen by mainstream audiences. Through Travel With Shades, she combines the principles of journalism with digital content creation, offering audiences a deeper understanding of the people and places she encounters.

Her work has taken her to some of the world’s most unique destinations, including North Korea, while also covering major cultural and public events such as the Kumbh Mela, Rann Utsav, and IPL 2026. Along the way, she has documented stories across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, highlighting the diversity and complexity of global cultures.

Monica’s commitment to impactful storytelling gained international attention when her investigation into an alleged hospital scam in Thailand was featured by Thai media and subsequently covered by major Indian news platforms. The incident demonstrated how travel journalism can go beyond entertainment and contribute to public awareness.

Her growing influence has also led to opportunities on global platforms. Monica has represented India at the United Nations as a Global Youth Ambassador and has received recognition through features in leading media publications, including National Geographic. These achievements have strengthened her position as a young creator using travel to bridge cultural gaps and encourage informed global citizenship.

Founded in 2024, Travel With Shades was created with a vision to inspire young Indians to travel with curiosity, confidence, and cultural sensitivity. The platform places a strong emphasis on solo female travel, challenging stereotypes and encouraging more women to explore the world independently.

As a representative of the Gen Z generation, Monica believes travel should be about learning, empathy, and personal growth rather than simply collecting destinations. Her content reflects this philosophy, offering audiences stories that connect them with local perspectives and authentic experiences.

Looking ahead, Monica aims to expand her presence in travel media and pursue opportunities as a travel presenter and host. Her long-term goal is to bring meaningful travel stories to mainstream audiences while continuing to inspire young people to see the world through a broader lens.

With an impressive portfolio of global experiences and a distinctive storytelling style, Monica Gupta is proving that the future of travel content lies not just in where we go, but in the stories we choose to tell along the way.