One more of my comprehensive reviews on my favorite holiday destination. The reason I consider this place as my favorite destination for picnics are so many. So much so that if I start mentioning them one by one then even 7500 characters will be less for me. Over the years, I've been to many picnic spots near Mumbai.
MY EXPERIENCE:
As Saturday was a holiday for many working people, it was planned to leave Friday night. We all left our house with our bags packed. We contributed 500 bucks each for this trip and we decided to return back on Sunday evening, We all stayed in the same colony so we all left together. We reached Bhandup station at around 10.30 in the night. Caught a train from Bhandup station and got down at Neral station. To my surprise, after reaching Neral, no one headed to buy tickets for train or cabs. It was later brought to my notice that we were going walking from Neral to Matheran. It seemed a joy-ride as we were all excited. After resting for some time at Neral Station, we started walking at around 2'o clock at the Night.
We started walking and came across three stations. I just remember the name of 2 stations that we came across. One was Jumma- Patti. The road to Matheran was very risky and dangerous too. We were a group of 15-18 people so we didn't face much problem while walking and going to Matheran. Just, it was too tiring as it was a 3 hours continous walk. We took halt twice in between, once at a waterfall where we all took a light shower and once to eat something. It was a great trek as the road for matheran made us walk round and round and at that time also there were cabs which reached people to entrance of matheran. So, it was a busy road and nothing to be scared of.
It was pre-decided that we would stay at a rented place and we ourselves would cook food. So, it was a cheap deal while allowing us to explore Matheran. We reached Matheran at 5 and the entrance to Matheran would start from 6. So, we waited for an hour. We were scared as there were many wild monkeys around. We paid around 25 bucks per person and we entered Matheran meaning Place with the Forest on Top. It was damn cold at the entrance itself.
We took a house on rent. It was around 2000 per day and the rooms were big and it had 3 such rooms. We all fitted in the house. Few people started making tea and something to eat whereas some slept as it was a tiring journey
DAY1
I opted to be awake as I was all excited. Entire road was covered by fog and no local person moves out of their house before 9 am. We saw various point that same day. To name a few. Tree Hill Point, Sunset Point, Echo Point.
It was enough for the day. Day 1 was a great experience and fun but was all tiring.
DAY2
Day 2 began with a bang as we all guys got up at 5 in the morning as we had lined up points which could be seen early in the morning. ie Sunset Point. We all left early in the morning. There was a lot of Fog around and nothing was quite visible. But we had carried torches with us.
Day 2 was even more fun as I sat on a horse and viewed 5 points and that too for just 200 bucks. It was a cheap deal and I enjoyed as my legs nearly gave up.
These two days were the best days of my life and I will never ever forget this experience. The picnic was over and it was time for us to reach Matheran station as the departure time of the last train was at 4:10 pm.
The train was the best part of this picnic. It took 3 hours for us to reach NERAL from MATHERAN. The train revolved round and round and the train was running at a speed of 15-25 Km/hr. We explored many different things during the train journey. We got to see res crabs. Many green coloures snakes. Great view. Never wanted the train ride to end ever.
This was the best experience ever for me.
What time of year did I travel?
It was in the month of JULY we had gone for picnic. And to experience the beauty of this place one should make a visit to this place in the rainy season.
What did I like or dislike about your trip?
There were many things that I liked about this place. As in the environment, the scenery beauty, the atmosphere, the chikki which are the famous sweets over there and everyone buys chikki for sure if they visit Matheran. No vehicles, so less pollution. Every person was very helpful over there. Waterfalls, the horse ride, the trek, everything and why not to forget my best The Chuk-Chuk gaadi train. I Hope Mumbai local trains also were the same.
There were few things I disliked about that place. If someone is new to the place then he/she can land up spending a lot. So, prior information should be retrieved before going Matheran for the 1st time. It's a bit risky to go during rainy season as the place gets slippery and one can slide down points if proper care is not taken. And can result in deaths. But this rarely happens as the points are guarded by grills. Wild monkeys all around lol.
What would you do differently next time?
I've been to this place around 4 times. And discovered a lot till now. The new thing that I would like to try would be the tram which is connected from one point to another and the tram is hooked and driven from one place to another. It seems great but expensive. Around 500 bucks, but now as I'm working l'll surely give it a try when I go next.
For whom would I recommend this trip?
I would recommend this trip to everyone, young people should be guided by some elderly person.
Old people can visit this place as it has the native types environment. Where in, old people can rest and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere. I would like to recommend this trip especially for couples.
Few guidelines which will surely help u guys:
>There are cheap booking available at NERAL station itself. Hotel costing around 2400 for 4 guys with food, breakfast and dinner and luxury rooms.
> Carry along good gripping sandals so that you don't slip and fall anywhere.
> Carry along torches so that u can fight FOG:-)
> Do try the SLOW TRAIN. It's great fun and who knows u might discover something new and interesting.
> Stay away from risky points.
Few points by name:
King george point
Echo point
Charlotte point
Sunrise point
Sunset point
Panorama point
Alexander point
Monkey point
Louisa point
One tree point
Lords point
Artist point
Khandala point
Honeymoon hill point
Coronation point
The trains for Matheran start from 7:30 in the morning till 5 in the evening from NERAL and trains from Matheran start from 5:45 in the morning till 4:10 in the evening to NERAL.
Final words: A destination which can be visited for a day also. And cheap and very environment friendly makes the mood of everyone. So, if you are stressed too much from your office, go right away to MATHERAN-PLACE TOPPED BY JUNGLE
I would rate this place as 4.5/5.
