Trip to Matheran

Trip to Matheran

Matheran Travel Guide

A trip to Matheran is always an amazing journey. However, this journey would need multiple precautions to take. In this travel guide, I will share my take and experiences, which I had on my trip to Matheran. I have visited Matheran on 24th January 2018.

Journey to the top:

Reaching to the top of matheran could be by multiple mediums.

1. By Train / Local

2. By Air

3. By Road

4. By Foot

1. By Train / Local:

Getting to Matheran is actually half the fun; it is well connected by rail both, from Mumbai and Pune up to Neral Junction Station, a station at the bottom of the hill. From Neral a small Toy Train (Narrow gauge) takes you through a zigzag route of about 21 kms. to Matheran in two hours’ time. It's a very scenic two hours ascent as the train winds its way around the steep slopes. Some marvelous valley scenes can be observed during this journey. Three small stations called Jumma Patti, Water Pipe and Aman Lodge are on the way to Matheran.

The toy train can only be booked in advance from Mumbai or Pune which is a good idea in the high season (no reservations are accepted at Neral or Matheran, but tickets go on sale 45 minutes before departure).

Distance of Mumbai-Neral is 90 kms, while Neral-Matheran is 21 kms only.

From Mumbai CST, only a few of the Pune expresses stops at Neral Junction, including the Deccan Express and the Koyna Express. Most (but not all) of expresses from Mumbai stops at Karjat further down the line from Neral, from where you can backtrack on one of the frequent local trains. Alternatively, take a local Karjat bound train from Mumbai CST and get off at Neral. Pune-Neral, 120 kms. (Neral-Matheran mountain train) From Pune take a one of the few Mumbai bound expresses that stops at Neral (such as the Sahyadri Express) or one of the expresses which stops at Karjat and then get a local train from there up to Nerul.

2. By Air

Mumbai Airport - Nearest airport is Mumbai, 100 kms./65 Mile.

The nearest airport, Mumbai, 100 km, is well connected with national and international flights. From there, you'll need to switch to train or road.

Pune Airport - 110 kms. from Pune city Airport.

3. By Road

From Mumbai:

Mumbai-Neral-Matheran is approx. 100 kms. the best route to Matheran from Mumbai is to take a diversion from Mulund-Airoli Road and take diversion from Shil Phata - Mahape Road and connect to Badlapur. Then you should continue to Neral and leading to Matheran track.

The route is as follows:

a. Follow Tamasi Bandat Rd to Bengaluru - Mumbai Hwy/CST Rd/Mumbai - Pune Hwy/Santacruz – Chembur Link Rd in Friends Colony

B. Take Eastern Express Hwy/Mumbai - Agra National Hwy, Mulund - Airoli Rd, Shil Phata - Mahape Rd, Kalyan - Shilphata Rd ... and Neral-Badlapur Rd to Neral - Matheran Rd in Neral

C. Turn right at Neral Matheran Taxi Exchange onto Neral - Matheran Rd

Do’s and Don’ts:

1. Take Mumbai to Matheran route as the Mulund-Airoli Road - Shil Phata - Mahape Road - Badlapur - Neral - matheran route. It has just one toll, and the road is also ok to take.

From Pune:

The distance from Pune is approx. 130 Kms. The route can be found as follows:

a. Take Bengaluru - Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai - Pune Hwy/Mumbai - Pune Expy to Karjat Khopoli Margin Hal Kh.

b. Continue on Karjat Khopoli Marg. Take Karjat - Murbad Rd/Karjat - Neral Rd to Neral - Matheran Rd in Sondewadi

c. You can also exit Pune-Mumbai NH4 at Haal Phata near Khopoli to enter SH 35 which will take you straight to the bottom of Matheran Ghat Road.

Do's and Don'ts:

1. The road trip on the Matheran hill should not be considered an easy one; it's pure ghat-road. If you are not a prompt driver, then it's not recommended to drive from Neral to Matheran by self, as it's full of stiff turns.

2. Either you can park your car at the Neral station, or can plan to take Toy train from Neral station to Matheran station (Aman lodge).

Car Parking and Entry:

When you reach the Matheran entry, you can find a parking space in the designated area and park your car. The parking entrance fees and daily parking fees need to be paid here.

No vehicles are allowed beyond this point. Matheran center is a 30-40 minutes walk from Dasturi Car Park. Before you enter the limits of Matheran, Matheran Municipal council charges certain fees for adult and half for children.

Once you enter, red dusty pathways welcomes you with the nature. Porters are available to carry luggage, while Horses and Hand-pulled carts / rickshaws (1-seater) are available to drop you at your destination or to your spots.

Parking facilities are available at Dasturi Naka, Matheran. From this point into the town center, either a trek on foot or on horseback or by hand pulled rickshaws, as motor vehicles are prohibited within the hill-station area. During rainy season, Train Services are not regular. Taxi takes about 20 minutes to reach Dasturi Naka from Neral.

Do's and Don'ts:

1. Even though the Porters, Horse riders and Hand-pulled rickshaws have their rates defined for trip within Matheran spots and hotels, you can negotiate with them for further offerings.

2. The Horse riders’ price starts from Rs. 300 for Dasturi stand to Matheran Railway Station, and Rs. 350 & Rs. 550 till your hotel rooms, while the price of the Hand-pulled rickshaws’ go almost double.

3. If you are on a 1-day trip, and planning for a comfortable trip, you can plan to opt any of the above mentioned services and enjoy your trip without tiring up soon. In spite of availing these services, neither the horse nor the hand-pulled rickshaws go till the view points. Walking in Matheran is a must, hence you can plan your trip accordingly.

3. By Foot

Matheran is popular among trekkers.

The more energetic trek it from Neral. Many enthusiastic hikers climb the hill from Neral on foot. It is a fairly stiff climb and takes at least two to three hours. Once one arrives at Matheran walking becomes a pleasure and comfortable.

Dasturi gate (Matheran car park) is approximately 8 km from Neral junction and a beautiful landscape can be seen from Neral itself. One can follow the road or walk through the countryside along the stream and take the trail used by localities. There aren't direction signs along the trail, so you'll have to take directions from localities or trek keeping the road in sight.

The trail crosses farms, streams, railway track at several places to add to the stunning landscape. Trekkers can rest and enjoy a snack midway at Janmapatti rail station where the road and track meet. There are a few eateries run by localities. Second leg of the trek is difficult than the first as the path gets steeper. Following the road should get you to Dasturi gate after which one has to take the unpaved trail till Matheran Bazaar. All trails in Matheran are well marked and getting around shouldn't be difficult.

Do's and Don'ts:

1. To avoid much hilly and curvy roads, you can also plan to take the Toy train track to climb to the Matheran i.e. till Dasturi gate.

Stay at Matheran

There are plenty of good hotels available in Matheran for stay, few of the good options are such as, MTDC Resort, Adamo Resort, Adamo Village, The Byke, Brightlands Hotels, Rugby Hotel, Hotel Anand Ritz, Kumar Plaza, Hotel Rucha, Hotel Usha Ascot and Richie Rich. However, there are plenty of cost-effective options too available at Matheran (near to Market place).

Review of Adamo Resort:

I have stayed at Adamo Resort for 1 night. It charged me around Rs. 13,000 per night for 4 adults and 1 kid, which is inclusive of all such as lodging, using all facilities and 3-time meal (breakfast, lunch & dinner).

The location of this resort is pretty good, which is very close to the Matheran station and market place. The facilities of the resort is also very nice, while the staff are very friendly and supportive. Provided few pics for your easy viewing and reference.

Do's and Don'ts:

1. The Adamo resort provides a good & comfortable stay with a child-friendly facilities. It’s always recommended to visit this hotel, if budget is not a concern.

2. Only point of concern is what I felt was the interrupted power-supply during night. There were multiple electricity fluctuations during our stay. However, the Resort had Generator, which used to switch on immediately.

3. There’s limited supply of hot water during morning only, however you can request for additional bucket of hot water as and when you require.

4. Food was delicious! It provides only veg and in Gujarati style, which we loved at most.

Food at Matheran:

As most of the people coming from Pune, Mumbai, Surat and other part of Gujarat are preferred always vegetarian food. There many hotels in Matheran offered Pure Vegetarian food. There are mixes of Maharashtrian and Gujarati dishes in the main cost. However, there are plenty of non-vegetarian food options too available.

For drinking once can enjoy the Nimbu Pani (Lemon Juice) almost at all point along with walking and Sight-seeing. Chocolate fudge is also specialty of Matheran.

Places to visit in Matheran:

There are multiple places / points to see within Matheran. The local people are very friendly, who can also guide you as and when required.

Do's and Don'ts:

1. The places are very far from each other. Hence you can plan using the services such as Horses or Pull-rickshaws for travelling to these places. And, if you love to roam by walk, then you can also enjoy a comfortable walk visiting multiple nearby and distant points.

2. If you have kids accompanying, you should be extra careful, as many of the view points are not securely covered for travellers. Hence, it could be disastrous to leave kids alone in such places.

3. Matheran is a dream destination for people who love to walk and love silence within the woods. However, the services such as Horses or Pull-rickshaws can also be planned to reduce exhaustic walk.

4. Toy train ride is a must for the visitors, as it gives you an amazing experience to matheran.