• Responsible travel
  • Published work
  • Speaking
  • Projects
  • FAQs
  • Contact me

The Shooting Star

Just a girl who travels.

Menu
Search
  • About Me
  • My Travels
  • My Book
  • Media & Awards
  • Work With Me
Close Menu
Browse through my journey
Close Contents

Years

  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008

Authors

  • Guest author
  • Shivya Nath

Filter by Month

  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • April 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Filter by Categories

  • Adventure
  • Africa
  • Airlines
  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Asia
  • Ask Me Anything
  • Assam
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Backpacking
  • Bahrain
  • Bhutan
  • Books
  • Bucket List
  • Budget
  • Canada
  • Caribbean
  • chhattisgarh
  • Climate Change
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Crowdsourced
  • Cuba
  • Culture
  • Daman & Diu
  • Delhi
  • Denmark
  • Digital Nomad
  • Dominican Republic
  • Eco-Luxury
  • Ecuador
  • Ethiopia
  • Europe
  • featured
  • food
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Go now
  • Goa
  • Guatemala
  • Guest Posts
  • gujarat
  • Haryana
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Honduras
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Islands
  • Italy
  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Land journeys
  • Latin America
  • Lesotho
  • Luxury
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Maharashtra
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mauritius
  • Mexico
  • Middle East
  • Myanmar
  • New normal
  • Nicaragua
  • North America
  • Odisha (Orissa)
  • Offbeat
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • passion project
  • People
  • Philippines
  • Photo Essays
  • Photography
  • Punjab
  • Rajasthan
  • Rants
  • recent
  • Reflections
  • Responsible Travel
  • Reviews
  • Rodrigues
  • Romania
  • Scotland
  • Seychelles
  • Sikkim
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Solo Travel
  • Solo Travellers from Asia
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Stories from the road
  • Sustainability
  • Sustainable tourism
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Thailand
  • Travel Blogging
  • Travel Contests
  • Travel Guide
  • Travel Inspiration
  • Travel Lists
  • Travel Tips
  • Turkey
  • Uncategorized
  • Unique Places to Stay
  • Uttarakhand
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vegan food
  • Vegetarian Food
  • Video
  • Vietnam
  • Visa for Indians
  • Wales
  • Weekend Getaways
  • West Bengal
  • Wildlife

Filter by Tags

art / book review / Books / business / Career / culture / digital nomad / Education / entertainment / events / friends / home / India / Indian travel blogger / Indian travel bloggers / Indian travel blogs / Indian travellers / inspiration / Inspirational / life / offbeat / offbeat travel / people / personal / poem / Poetry / random / responsible travel india / Shivya Nath / singapore / solo travel / southeast asia / spiti / thoughts / Travel / travel bloggers india / Travel blogs India / Travel contests / travel ideas / travel review / travel tips / weekend getaway / Work / World / writing
  • 7 Years of Travelling Without a Home – and Then a Pandemic.

    by Shivya Nath

    What's it like to chain myself to one place after 7 years on the road?

    October 3, 2020
    Comments 27
    Digital Nomad, Reflections

7 years ago, I gave up my home, sold most of my possessions and embraced a nomadic life. This journey has taken me as far within as with my feet.

My first book

the shooting star, shivya nath

Reviews | Order a copy

Introducing exclusive, paid stories – delivered to your inbox once a week!

FEATURED ON:

Shivya Nath

Meet the Indian Solo Traveller Who Quit His Job, Set Out for His Dream Trip in 2020 and Got Locked Down in Colombia!

Published by Shivya Nath

His travels were always constrained by time and finances. Finally, he quit his job and boarded a flight to Colombia in Feb 2020...

March 3, 2021
Comments 8
featured, Solo Travel, Solo Travellers from Asia

Try These Cafes and Restaurants in Auroville for Divine Food!

Published by Guest author

A collection of organic farms, silent meals, and unique cafes and restaurants in Auroville - including the best restaurants in Pondicherry nearby - to indulge your tastebuds.

February 7, 2021
Comments 10
featured, Guest Posts, India, Tamil Nadu, Vegan food

The Good, Bad and Not-So-Ugly of 2020.

Published by Shivya Nath

I have no doubt that a few years from now, we'll look back at 2020 as a bad dream or something out of a sci-fi movie.

January 24, 2021
Comments 14
featured, Reflections

RECENT AWARDS

CONNECT WITH ME

instagram    facebook     twitter    YT

Recent posts

India, Kerala, recent, Responsible Travel

Moonlit Cycling, Poetry and Other Meaningful Things to do in Fort Kochi.

Instead of generic things to do in Fort Kochi, connect with locals, attend open mic, find unique cafes, opt for yoga classes, clean up the beach and more!

February 23, 2021
Comments 3
recent, Reflections, Responsible Travel

How I Lost My Way as a Travel Writer…

I sorely miss the joy of writing about low-key discoveries on my travels, for a smaller group of readers with a stronger bent towards responsible travel.

December 12, 2020
Comments 22
silhouette of woman holding hat in blue and gray nebula
Guest Posts, recent, Sustainability

The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Fashion in India.

Sustainable fashion in India is on the rise with homegrown, upcycled, fair-trade, organic, ethical and eco-friendly brands. Now that's a real fashion statement.

August 26, 2020
Comments 16

about me

Hello! I’m Shivya Nath. In 2011, at age 23, I quit my corporate job with a dream of traveling the globe. 2 years later, I packed up my life into a backpack and decided to hit the road indefinitely. I travel slow, seek offbeat and local experiences, stay in a place for a few weeks or as long as it inspires me, and move on.

In 2019, I did a solo land journey from Thailand to India via Myanmar, and travelled overland from the Persian Gulf via Iran to Armenia. I’ve lived with a Mayan community in Guatemala, volunteered at a coral reef restoration project in Cuba, lived in a nunnery in Ladakh (India), and shed my fears and clothes at onsens across Japan.

Join me to discuss responsible travel, under-the-radar destinations, veganism and sustainability. I hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and experience the world too!

More about me

What’s a life of travel like?

Why I turned vegan

In the midst of a pandemic linked to deforestation, biodiversity loss and intensive animal farming, all roads point towards a life that is more sustainable, compassionate and mindful.

The new "normal"

May 17, 2020

Sustainable Living Ideas to Embrace as we Emerge Into a New “Normal”.

In the midst of a pandemic linked to biodiversity loss, all roads seem to point towards a life that...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 27
future of travel, future of travel industry, future of travel blogging
April 17, 2020

What’s the Future of Travel Blogging When Nobody’s Travelling?

With every passing day of this global lockdown, I can't help but think about the future of travel blogging....

by Shivya Nath
Comments 45
work from home tips, working from home advice
April 1, 2020

Work From Home Tips From Someone Who’s Been Doing it for Nearly a Decade!

It's a challenge to be disciplined, meet deadlines and maintain a work-life balance in the face of myriad distractions....

by Shivya Nath
Comments 19
travel advice coronavirus, travel ban coronavirus, travel advisory coronavirus
March 16, 2020

How to Indulge Your Wanderlust at Home During the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Some creative ideas to satiate your travel cravings - safely and responsibly - during the uncertain coronavirus period.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 137

I try to make conscious choices to support local communities and minimize my environmental impact. Not just because it’s the need of the hour, but also because it’s a more immersive way to travel.

Sustainable travel

the shooting star, shivya nath travel tips
November 11, 2019

Responsible Travel Tips for Authentic, Meaningful Experiences on the Road.

In the age of overtourism and in the midst of a climate crisis, responsible travel tips to meaningfully...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 36
Volunteering in a remote island in Cuba, Shivya the shooting star, Shivya Nath
May 18, 2019

What I Learnt Volunteering on a Remote Island in Cuba.

About travelling, our consumption patterns, our dietary choices and how climate change is impacting the underwater world.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 43
sustainable tourism india | sustainable tourism practices india | sustainable tourism projects in india
May 14, 2018

Offbeat, Incredible and Sustainable – These Travel Companies are Changing the...

The real India - the India that inspires and humbles - takes a little effort to find.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 54
November 20, 2015

Awe-Inspiring Uttarakhand Homestays: Tune Out of Life and Tune Into the Mountains.

Deep in the mountains of Uttarakhand, I discovered a secret.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 44

"An adventurous life does not necessarily mean climbing mountains, swimming with sharks, or jumping off cliffs. It means risking yourself by leaving a little piece of you behind in all those you meet along the way."

Shawna Grapentin

offbeat escapes

chhattisgarh tribes
July 30, 2020

Ideas of Love and Life from the Tribes of Chhattisgarh.

Ideas I gathered on sexual freedom, relationships, food and sustainability, while spending time with the tribes of Chhattisgarh.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 15
uzbekistan things to do
October 7, 2019

11 Incredible Experiences That’ll Make You Fall in Love with Uzbekistan.

I fell in love not just with Uzbekistan’s grand mosques, minarets and mausoleums, but also with its quaint mountain...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 28
tajikistan travel, tajikistan landscape, visit tajikistan, tajikistan tourism
September 11, 2019

Tajikistan: A Country That’s Not on Your Travel Radar but Should Be.

With its awe-inspiring mountainous landscapes, warm-hearted people and "off the beaten path" status, Tajikistan beckons.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 40
nasir ol molk shiraz, why visit iran, iran travel blogs, iran travel 2019
May 14, 2019

Why You Should Drop Everything and Travel to Iran Now!

If you pick only one international travel destination this year, pick Iran.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 102

"I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody."

Lily Tomlin

Passion projects

Spiti, Shivya the shooting star, Shivya Nath
September 20, 2017

“I Love Spiti” – A Campaign to Save Spiti Valley from Single Use...

An initiative to create awareness and alternatives for single-use plastic in the cold mountain desert of Spiti.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 30
indian instagram accounts to follow | rural life in India | village homestay uttarakhand
February 19, 2017

Sarmoli, Uttarakhand: A Himalayan Village Where Locals Run Marathons and Their Own...

@voicesofmunsiari - India's first and only Instagram channel to be run entirely by a rural village community.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 57

The difference between living and existing is how much wonder you find in the beauty around you.

Inspiration

never getting married, not wanting kids
June 16, 2019

How Travelling Changed My Perspective on Getting Married and Having Kids.

I finally decided to write this post for fellow dreamers, adventurers and rebels, who dream of doing life differently.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 80
how to grow organically on Instagram
February 3, 2019

What I’ve Learnt on the Way to 60,000+ Organic Followers on Instagram –...

You CAN grow on Instagram organically, without gaming the system, plastering your gallery with perfect bikini shots and editing...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 42
digital nomad packing list, packing for long term travel, digital nomad lifestyle
January 8, 2019

How I Fit All My Life Possessions in Two Bags as I Travel the World.

I couldn't help but wonder whether we humans own things, or our things own us.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 29
best indian travel books | best travel books on india | bestseller books by indian authors
September 1, 2018

My Journey From the Cubicle to a Nomadic Life – Now in a Book!

This adventure is yours now, this journey is yours.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 52

"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries."

Aldous Huxley

Stories from the road

digital empowerment india
January 19, 2020

Inspiring Indians Using Social Media to Drive Positive Change.

Fighting gender stereotypes, building climate resilience, rescuing abused horses and more.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 18
real life inspirational stories | successful entrepreneurs in India | books about india
May 3, 2017

Bombay to Barcelona: How Travelling Inspired an Indian Street Kid to Chase an...

His story is the story of so many kids we ignore every day on India's streets.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 70
Mauritius sunsets | Mauritius things to do | Mauritius travel
June 19, 2016

Mauritius is Not Just About The Seas You Sail, But Also the People You Meet Ashore.

Everyone who comes to Mauritius falls in love with the island; but you, who live here, do you love...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 46
Romania countryside, Romania villages, Magura Romania
August 13, 2014

Romania, You Can Fool The World With Your Smiles, But Not With Your Heart.

Romania had one hell of a way to welcome us. We had dragged ourselves out of the flight after...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 51

The thing about solo travel is, you can never feel 100% ready. There will always be a tiny voice at the back of your head asking, "Are you crazy?"

Solo travel

March 3, 2021

Meet the Indian Solo Traveller Who Quit His Job, Set Out for His Dream Trip in 2020...

His travels were always constrained by time and finances. Finally, he quit his job and boarded a flight to...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 8
bhutan solo travel, bhutanese blogger, layap bhutan, western bhutan
June 19, 2020

Meet the Bhutanese Blogger and Solo Traveller Unearthing Bhutan’s Best Kept...

While hiking with Denkar, I learnt how the King of Bhutan reads her travel blog and even invited her...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 25
solo travel destinations
December 18, 2018

Unusual Solo Travel Destinations to Feed Your Adventurous Spirit.

As solo travellers, we often tend to take shelter in the same tried and tested places.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 35
uttarakhand india
July 14, 2018

What It’s Like to Travel Solo When You’re in a Relationship. 

When people read about my solo travel adventures, they often assume that I travel alone because I'm single.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 56

"If you think it's difficult to be vegan, imagine how difficult it is for the animals that you're not vegan."

Gary L. Francione

Travelling as a vegan

February 7, 2021

Try These Cafes and Restaurants in Auroville for Divine Food!

A collection of organic farms, silent meals, and unique cafes and restaurants in Auroville - including the best restaurants...

by Guest author
Comments 10
how to turn vegan, how to transition into veganism
February 9, 2020

11 Tips to Ease Your Transition Into a Vegan Lifestyle.

How to transition into veganism, stay motivated, mentally prepare to deal with family and friends, eat healthy, travel and...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 16
vegan Japan the shooting star
July 13, 2019

The Ultimate Vegan (and Vegetarian) Survival Guide for Japan.

Mission frickin impossible. That’s how someone described my quest to spend a month exploring Japan as a vegan.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 8
vegan japan, Shivya the shooting star, Shivya Nath
March 20, 2019

How to Travel as a Vegan and Find Delicious Food Anywhere in the World.

I’ve learnt along the way that thriving as a vegan on the road is an acquired art.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 34

"Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don't need to escape from."

Seth Godin

Plan your travels

why visit iran, iran travel blogs, iran travel 2019, the shooting star, shivya nath
August 8, 2019

Travelling to Iran? Things to Know Before You Go.

If there's one country in the world that's worth the pre-trip hassle, it's Iran.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 39
alternative copenhagen | copenhagen like a local | copenhagen sightseeing tips
May 19, 2018

Fun and Alternative Things to do in Copenhagen – Perhaps Europe’s Coolest...

Travelling to Denmark & looking for alternative things to do in Copenhagen? Take my list of fun, offbeat things...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 25
airbnb advice | Airbnb reviews | how to find a good airbnb
December 9, 2017

How to Find the Perfect Airbnb and Make the Most of Your Travel Experience.

About this post: How to find a good Airbnb? Is Airbnb safe? Is Airbnb reliable? After several years of...

by Shivya Nath
Comments 33
best ways to travel the world | cheap ways to travel | how to travel young
June 21, 2017

Advice for the Young and Penniless Who Want to Travel.

This is all the advice I wish someone had given me when I was sixteen.

by Shivya Nath
Comments 58

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

HJackson Brown (no, not Mark Twain)
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Get my book – a national bestseller in India!

the shooting star book

Read reviews of the book

Let’s connect on Facebook

Let’s connect on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

JOIN ME ON INSTAGRAM

Back in 2015, when I decided to turn vegan and eliminate all animal products from my diet and lifestyle as far as I could help it, I wondered how my travels in India would pan out.
I’ve been lucky enough to experience, collaborate with and stay in many unique abodes during the course of my travels, both in India and other parts of the world. But few come close to the vision and experience @cghearthswaswara in Karnataka 🌱 Here luxury coexists with nature, protecting it, blending into it, rather than trampling over it.
It took me a long time to question, understand and embrace body positivity.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how to evolve my travel blog in this new normal.
Hello from my incredible meditation abode @cghearthswaswara 👋🏼
I’m about to complete my 33rd revolution around the sun! 😲🌏

Get my latest posts by email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 21,301 other subscribers

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLAIMER

© All text, images and ideas on this blog are copyrighted by Shivya Nath and cannot be used without explicit permission.

See my privacy policy and full disclaimer.

The Shooting Star Collection

Browse my travel-inspired clothing collection for a cause!

Just a girl who travels.

Connect with me

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter