How we welcomed David Lamper & Carolyn Lamper and the journey we shaped for them — day by day.
We met David & Carolyn the moment they stepped out of Delhi airport — their chauffeur Anand waiting with a warm smile and a marigold garland. We drove them to The Lalit in their private Toyota Etios and let them rest after the long flight from Manchester.
Anand took them across Old and New Delhi — the soaring Qutub Minar, the serene Mughal gardens of Humayun's Tomb, and a cycle-rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk. They returned to The Lalit for a second restful night.
We set off for Agra, the city of the Taj. The drive was easy and unhurried, and by evening they had settled into Hotel Clarks Shiraz — ready for the sunrise that brings the whole world to India.
At first light we walked them to the Taj Mahal in the soft morning glow. Then they explored the abandoned splendour of Fatehpur Sikri and the breathtaking Abhaneri stepwell. By evening Anand had driven them to Hotel Ranthambhore Regency, on the edge of the tiger reserve.
An early-morning safari deep into Ranthambhore National Park — the quiet thrill of scanning the grassland for a tiger, with spotted deer, peacocks and basking crocodiles along the way. Another night at Ranthambhore Regency.
On the way to Jaipur we paused at the hillside Galta (Monkey) Temple and the gleaming marble Birla Temple. We then checked them into the heritage Alsisar Haveli, their home for the next two nights.
A morning at the magnificent Amber Fort, followed by the City Palace, the honeycomb façade of Hawa Mahal, and the colourful bazaars of Jaipur. They spent the evening back in the lamp-lit courtyards of Alsisar Haveli.
Anand drove them west to Jodhpur. They arrived at Hotel Ranbanka with time to settle in and take in their first view of the indigo old town sprawled beneath the great fort.
A full day exploring the mighty Mehrangarh Fort high above the city, the blue lanes of the old town below, and the serene marble cenotaph of Jaswant Thada. Another comfortable night at Hotel Ranbanka.
We broke the journey to Udaipur at the dazzling marble Jain temples of Ranakpur and the colossal walls of Kumbhalgarh Fort — Anand even stopped for a photo with David & Carolyn along the way. That night they checked into the legendary Shivniwas Palace, on the shores of Lake Pichola.
A gentle, romantic day in Udaipur — the grand City Palace, a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola past the Lake Palace, and the unhurried charm the city is loved for. A second night in the palace itself.
We visited the vast, storied fort of Chittaurgarh, then continued to the holy town of Pushkar with its sacred lake and the rare Brahma Temple. They stayed at Hotel Brahma Horizon.
Anand brought them back to Delhi, the great circle of Rajasthan now complete. One last easy, comfortable night at The Lalit.
We saw David & Carolyn off for their flight at 14:35 — with new friends in Anand and the whole India Karni team, and a journey we hope they will remember for a lifetime.
