Matheran is a good weekend get-away place for those living in Mumbai, Pune, and nearby cities. It is a wonderful place for those who plan to visit from far away stations. Another good news is that the Neral matheran track that was destroyed by floods has been repaired and the toy-train services have been restored since 27 Feb 2007.
ADVICE ABOUT LUGGAGE:
Please carry only the necessary items, as you will be required to walk for quite some distance from the taxi stand (unless you opt for a pony ride or porter help to carry your luggage).
ADVICE TO SENIOR CITIZENS:
Matheran requires lot of walking to be done. So it is sincerely advised that if you are planning a visit with your family that have old people included, then it will be very necessary that you will need to hire hand carts drawn by man, or horse to carry the elder members.
SAFETY:
Matheran is safe place as rarely one hears of any bad incident. There are reptiles but are generally harmles. Monkeys are in plenty but are generally not so naughty.
SHOPPING:
Prices of same items vary from shop to shop, so check about prices from few shops before deciding to buy a product. Things of interest are Chikki, Honey, Leather goods, Footwear, Fudge, etc. which are local products.
HOW TO REACH:
There used to be toy-train that started from Neral and chugged all the way up-hill to take you to Matheran. But, after the 26/7 floods in Maharashtra in 2005, the tracks were destroyed..and the train has stopped running. Now the train services have again started since 27 February 2007.
The best way to reach Matheran is by road. You can reach here from Pune, Thane, and Mumbai. Drivers are available for hire at foot of the hill and at top also, if you are not experienced in driving a dangerous and risky ghat.
Best route from Mumbai by your own vehicle:
If starting from Thane (000 Kms), drive through Kalwa bridge (004 Kms.), on the Thane Panvel road. You will reach Panvel (46 Kms). Continue on Old Mumbai Pune Highway for 63 Kms. Just about 21 Kms. before Khapoli, and after 65 Kms from Thane station, you will see a small road going to left....this is Chowk....take left from here. As no direction boards are displayed indicating Matheran, you have to be very watchful.....as you may miss this small lane while speeding on Mumbai Pune highway.
From Chowk drive another 11 Kms and take left turn. From this turn drive up hill to reach Dasturi after 12 Kms. Dasturi is a place where you have to park your car, and enter Matheran from left gate.
Car parking charges are Rs. 10 entry of car, and taxes of Rs. 25.
The entire road from Thane to Matheran is in very good condition (as noted in June 2006)
Best route from Pune by your own vehicle:
From Pune travel on Old Mumbai Pune highway. After you come down the Khapoli ghat, watch the for the small lane that goes on right. You will see the green coloured board indicating this right turn.
This is chowk.
From Chowk drive another 11 Kms and take left turn. From this turn drive up hill to reach Dasturi after 12 Kms. Dasturi is a place where you have to park your car, and enter Matheran from left gate.
Car parking charges are Rs. 10 entry of car, and taxes of Rs. 25
By train from Mumbai and Pune:
From CST or Thane, take any local that touches Neral. (Trains going to Khapoli, and Karjat will stop at Neral).
From Pune take a passenger to Neral, or any outstation train that stops at Kalyan. From Kalyan take local to Neral. Neral is 7th station after Kalyan on Karjat route.
From Neral station, there are plenty of share taxies available to reach Matheran in half an hour. They charge Rs. 55.
Toy Train also starts from Neral. The latest time table for the toy train is available on the railway website. Train ticket is Rs. 36
Entry Fee:
Ticket to enter Matheran cost Rs.25 per head. Tockets are sold at the small ticket window at the entry of the main gate.
Where to stay?
For students andbudget traveller there is a cheap, neat and clean "Hope Hall Hotel" (Tel: 952148-230253). This is located near the market and most of the sightseing points are situated at walking distance from here. Veg and Non vg food is served in their dining hall. Double room for Rs. 250 per day (off season), Rs. 300 (season). For groups of more than 5 people, they charge Rs. 75 per day (off season). {Season = weekends & school holidays}.
For families and those with higher budget there are few hotels as below:
Gujarat Bhawan (vegetarian) (Tel: 952148-230278) with excellent food (gujarati thali). Room rate Rs. 450 per person per day (off season) Rs. 550 (season).
MTDC hotel is situated just at the entrance of Matheran. It is only recommended if you have very heavy luggage to carry. Else it is so far away from the main shopping area that you will be wasting lot of your time and energy coming and going to this place from where the action is.
Preeti Hotel has rooms for Rs. 500 with meals. Is located near main shopping area.
Rangoli is also a good place to stay with rooms for Rs. 300 per day.
Richi Rich and Brightland Hotel are expensive ones with AC rooms. Room rates above Rs. 1000 per day.
Where to eat?
There are plenty of good veg and non veg restaurants in the shopping area. Richi Rich, Rangoli, Regal, Garden View, etc. serve good food.
If you want to tast one of the best "chai and poha"....don't miss Dutt Tea Stall. This is a tiny run down road side stall situated at the approach of the Alexander point. This tea stall will put the best of the restaurants to shame as far as taste is concerned. Food is prepared fresh....so waiting period is little more......but then, you get the best taste too. The tea (Rs. 6) and poha (Rs. 10) is superb!
About Matheran:
Its a quiet town. I am not giving you the history of Matheran as it is commonly available.
The place is good for those who do not mind walking. Its a peaceful place, pollution free, with lot of trees and greenery throught the year.
When to visit?
If you want to see lot of waterfalls, visit after rains. But the terrain becomes muddy and slippery at places during rains.
During sumers and dry days, there is lot of red mud that will stick on you during a windy day.
Best time to visit is in winters, and just after rains.
What to buy?
Ladies sandals and slippers (real cheap), Fudge and chikki (real cheap and good), Honey (better than Mahabeleshwar as no impurities). generally there is not much bargaining system, hence, you will get proper prices. But check the same stuff at different shops as they all will have different fixed prices at different shops.
Map of Matheran:
Its given behind the entrance ticket !
