India Heritage Travel FAQ with Ratna

Whether you’re longing to walk in the footsteps of generations before you, revisit places that shaped your family’s storied past or help your children forge a deeper connection to their roots, heritage trips promise transformative experiences that leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Read on for the highlights from Ratna’s explorative family journey, from exploring new regions and embracing the unexpected to creating lasting memories that will be shared around the dinner table for years to come.

What inspired you to plan a journey to India with your family?

My daughter has always been interested in where we come from and really inspired us to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to India. I researched a few companies based on friends' recommendations and landed on Scott Dunn. My interactions with them struck the perfect balance. Their team was phenomenal—flexible, knowledgeable about the country and great to work with. We also found the right price point, which sealed the deal.

Were there any places or experiences you wanted to revisit?

My husband and I had last visited India in 1994, but this was the first time for my kids, so the trip was really about exploring new parts of the country. We travelled as a family of nine, with adults, teens and a child as young as four, so it was invaluable that our travel specialist truly understood our needs as a family. They carefully listened to what we were looking for, catered to the different age ranges and exceeded everyone’s expectations. Given the limited time we had, we wanted a trip which allowed us to experience the northern part of India, see new things and revisit a few iconic places like the Taj Mahal, which is a must-see for anyone visiting India for the first time.

What were some of the most memorable moments of your trip?

When we got to Mumbai, we visited the Sassoon fish market, which was a real highlight for us. For me, it stood out because there was a local banker walking around among the women selling their freshly caught fish, so when these women made a sale, they could deposit their earnings directly into their own bank accounts. Seeing that kind of micro finance and empowerment in action was quite extraordinary.

Any unexpected highlights or surprises?

We had an early morning flight scheduled from Jaipur to Udaipur around 5:00 or 6:00 AM, but as we were packed up and ready to go our ground contact called to inform us the flight had been cancelled. Since there were only one or two flights each day, they arranged for a van to take us instead. The drive was about eight hours, and while it was unexpected, it turned out to be one of our favourite memories from the trip. Travelling by road allowed us to see more of the country and the countryside, which was fascinating for the kids. They got to observe everyday life, whether we were passing through rural areas or smaller towns. It was also a wonderful time for us as a family—we played games and got to experience a lot more of the country that we wouldn’t have seen. I also cannot say enough about the hotels. One of our favourite stays was at the Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur. I’ve never seen a hotel like that – it was absolutely beautiful, and the city itself was gorgeous.

Did any experiences stand out to your family or make them feel more connected to their culture?

For my kids, the highlight of the trip was travelling together with their cousins. Experiencing India as a family—especially a place tied to their heritage—was very meaningful. Travelling together and sharing that connection with the rest of our family was really important. It made the trip special and brought them even closer together. It was important for them to go at the right age so that they could truly appreciate the country and have the opportunity to connect to their heritage.

Did you learn anything new about India or your heritage?

This trip completely opened my mind. We often have these preconceived notions or experiences when we think about certain places. But that's the beauty of travel, right? You actually go. You meet the people. You experience different ways of life. Our trip was easier to navigate than I had anticipated. The one thing we probably all walked away with was a fresh perspective and a much more open mind about the world around us.

For families considering a similar journey, what advice would you share?

My advice to families traveling to India would be to work with a travel company like Scott Dunn. Our travel specialist, Jeff, was phenomenal—he really understood our family’s needs and helped craft the trip of a lifetime. He was flexible and open to suggestions, making sure we stayed at amazing hotels and had the experience we wanted. Scott Dunn did a great job crafting an itinerary that allowed us to meet our personal travel goals and create an experience we all could look forward to. Having support on the ground when things didn’t go as planned was invaluable. When our flight got cancelled, I wasn’t anxious because I knew I could call someone and have confidence that everything would be taken care of. Things don’t always go according to plan and having that support on the ground made all the difference. The team helped us create something unforgettable, and I have a 200-page photo book to prove it! We did some amazing things, and I feel so fortunate that we were able to experience something like this.

Inspired?

Get in touch with our specialists to plan a culturally immersive heritage journey or craft an unforgettable family adventure through India’s many delights.