The Indian Derby, run at Mumbai’s Mahalakshmi Race Course, is the
highlight of Mumbai’s racing season and a major occasion in the city’s social calendar. The race is run over 2,400m and is restricted to four year olds. In 2013 the winner was Super Storm ridden by Jimmy Fortune with Wind Stream and Martin Dwyer in second and Hemisphere ridden by Richard Hughes in third place.
The Royal Calcutta Turf Club hosts the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II
Cup. Each year the trophy comes from Buckingham Palace - a tradition that dates from The Queen’s visit to the Calcutta races in February 1961. The race is run over 2,800m and is for 4 year olds and over. In 2013 the race was won by Ocean and Beyond, a six-year old trained by Patrick Quinn.
Price
11 Nights
£4,395.00 Per Person
Itinerary
Wednesday 29 January
Depart: London Heathrow, Flight EK004 20.15 hrs
Thursday 30 January
Arrive: Dubai 07.00 hrs
Depart: Dubai, Flight EK506 09.25 hrs
Arrive: Mumbai 13.55 hrs
On arrival transfer to the Taj Mahal Palace hotel where accommodation has been secured for 4-nights. Following welcome drinks with your fellow travellers, the remainder of the day is at your leisure.
Friday 31 January
Morning excursion by boat to the Elephanta caves. Afternoon at leisure.
Saturday 1 February
Late morning departure for a City Sightseeing Discovery tour of Mumbai.
Sunday 2 February
Morning departure for lunch and drinks at the exclusive Royal Willingdon Sports Club prior to the quality racing at the Mahalakshmi Racecourse. Private reserved seating in the members’ guest enclosure is included.
Monday 3 February
Morning transfer to the airport for the onward flight to Pune and transfer for a 2 night stay at The Hyatt Regency. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Tuesday 4 February
Departure by coach for a visit of selected stud farms followed by lunch and drinks at the Pune Turf Club. This evening enjoy dinner with the local racing fraternity.
Wednesday 5 February
Mid-morning transfer to the airport for the onward flight to Kolkata and transfer for a 4 night stay at The Oberoi Grand. Evening at leisure.
Thursday 6 February
Day at leisure to enjoy any optional activities available.
Friday 7 February
Afternoon departure for our city sightseeing tour of Kolkata. Late afternoon enjoy cocktails and canapés during a Sunset Cruise on the River Ganges. Evening at leisure.
Saturday 8 February
Morning at leisure before an afternoon’s racing where The Queen’s Cup will be the main highlight of this racing day. Private reserved seating in the members’ guest enclosure is included.
Sunday 9 February
Morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to UK via Dubai.
Depart: Kolkata, Flight EK 571 08.55 hrs
Arrive: Dubai 12.45 hrs
Depart: Dubai, Flight EK011 14.30 hrs
Arrive: London Heathrow 18.15 hrs
Single room supplement for the tour: £1,495.00
Club Class supplement: from £1,500.00 per person
First Class supplement: from £3,000.00 per person
These upgrade prices apply to the international flights only. If you require an upgrade for the domestic flights please contact the office for availability and prices.
Accommodation
The Taj Mahal Palace
The history of Mumbai and The Taj Mahal Palace are dramatically intertwined. The hotel is Mumbai's first harbour landmark (built 21 years before the Gateway of India) and the site of the first licensed bar in the city.
For more than a century the Taj Mahal Palace has played an intrinsic part in the life of the city, hosting Maharajas, dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the globe. A treasure-trove of invaluable memorabilia, there is a story to tell behind every pillar.
Hyatt Regency Pune
Hyatt Regency Pune is located in Viman Nagar, Pune. Conveniently located on Nagar Road, the hotel is only 2,5km from Pune's Lohegaon International Airport and the city's entertainment areas of Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar, making it among one of the most sought after hotels in Pune.
The Hyatt Regency features a variety of luxury restaurants and lounges, including Italian and Indian cuisines at La Terrazza. The Single Malt & Co. Bar and Lounge offers a wide range of Single Malt whiskies and other liquors, wines, beers and cocktails in an elegant and intimate setting.
The Oberoi Grand Kolkata
The Oberoi Grand, fondly referred as the 'Grande Dame of Chowringhee' offers the ultimate classical residence in the "City of Joy". This heritage hotel's neo-classical façade and grand pillared entrance mark a successful fusion of classical Victorian and traditional Indian style and reflect the city's colonial history and offers guests an oasis of tranquillity amidst the bustling city.
Standing stately for over 125 years, The Oberoi Grand offers state of the art amenities and facilities, and a wide variety of dining options including their flagship restaurant the famous Baan Thai.
Tour Highlights
- Quality racing in Mumbai & Kolkata
- Lunch at the exclusive Royal Willingdon Sports Club
- Visit to selected stud farms in Pune
- Dinner with Pune racing fraternity
- Lunch and drinks at the Pune Turf Club
Additional Info
From the gateway of India in Mumbai to Pune the “Cultural Capital of Maharashtra” to Kolkata “The Paris of the East”. There is something to excite everyone, with the highlight being the two race days in Mumbai and Kolkata.
This 11 night tour includes a stay at the world famous Taj Palace hotel in Mumbai, the Hyatt Regency in the youthful town of Pune and finally the wonderful centrally located Oberoi Grand in Kolkata.
Price Includes
- Quality racing in Mumbai & Kolkata
- Lunch at the exclusive Royal Willingdon Sports Club
- Visit to selected stud farms in Pune
- Dinner with Pune racing fraternity
- Lunch and drinks at the Pune Turf Club
