Destination Features

Matheran , situated some 100 kms from Mumbai, has been  a favorite weekend gateway of the Mumbaikars ever since its discovery by Hugh Mallet, one time collector of Thane district, in 1850. The hill station  located at an elevation of around 800m (2,625 ft) has been declared as an eco sensitive region and has roads that are still not tarred even now. And as most motor vehicles (except emergency vehicles) are banned , the air is very clean and the place very peaceful.The name Matheran means either "forest on top" or "mother forest".

Entry Fee: There is an entry fee of Rs.25 per head which you need to buy to enter Matheran.  These tickets ickets are sold at the small ticket window at the entry of the main gate and have a map behind it..

Best time to visit: October to May. Most hotels close during the monsoons, and the walking trails turn muddy. However, post monsoon, Matheran is a visual beauty  with lush greenery, waterfalls and the lakes full with water.

The hills of Matheran provide some wonderful views of the Western Ghats and of the lush plains that dot the villages below.

• Lake Charlotte:The main source of drinking water for the town, Lake Charlotte offers some stunning scenery. It is located about 2 kms from the Post Office. On the left hand side,it has a dam near which is the Pisarnath Mandir while the Echo Point and Louisa Point is on the right.  
• Panorama point - Located 6 kms from the market, it provides a panoramic view of the hills on the left and of the beautiful Ulhas river to the right. Also known as the "Sunrise Point" because of the spectacular view it provides of the sunrise, it is also a popular spot for picnics. The mountain ranges of Khandala Bhimashankar can also be seen from here.
• Mount Barry: The highest spot in Matheran offers some splendid views as does the Governor's Hill located between Mount Barry and Panorama Point.
• Hart point - Here one can see a beautiful scene of the valley and this point looks like heart, so it is named so. On a clear night, you can even see the lights of Mumbai from here.
• Monkey point - Here you can see the monkeys in large numbers.
• Porcupine Point - for its' sunsets.
• Louisa Point: For views of the ruined forts- Prabal and Vishalgarh and also for its waterfall.
• Echo Point: Try calling out your name from here and watch the effect.
• Other notable points include:Rambagh Point (2 kms from Matheran towards Khandala and Karjat), Alexander Point (one km to the north of Matheran), Coronation Point, Chowk Point (at the extreme southern end of Matheran), and the One Tree Hill.

Matheran is a bird watcher delight as sightings of the Malabar Trogon, the Malabar Whistling Thrush or the Whistling Schoolboy has been reported and a lucky wildlife enthusiast could get a glimpse of Pied Hornbills, Crested Serpent Eagles the Bonnet Macaques, Hanuman Langurs, Palm Squirrels and Parakeets too.

Shop for Chikki , honey, walking-sticks, and custom made leather footwear.Matheran is a foot freak delight and the more you bargain the more you will get.

The Regal hotel, Brightlands Resorts, Rugby Hotel Aman lodge, Gujarat Bhawan, the Tourist Towers, Lords Central, The Royal and Bombay view,  Ashok Hotel,Hotel Alexander,Aanad Ritz, Usha Escort, Hotel Karachi, Hotel Kumar Plaza, Khans Hotel, Girivihar Hotel, Gulmohar Hotel ,Gulshan Hotel, Janta Happy Home, Hope Hall Hotel are few of the good hotels with prices ranging 400-500 bucks..The MTDC hotel located at the entrance of the town also provides accommodation facilities, the total capacity being 83.-Self-contained rooms (38 blocks) Group Accommodation (2 blocks 18 beds) and a Machan (4 beds). However, do note that it is quite far away from the main town.

Good to know - Important travel information on Matheran

Although Matheran is an immensely picturesque, highly relaxing & Stress Buster destination very close to Mumbai, remember that it is not motor-able. Automobiles are banned in Matheran and you have to hike up for about 30 minutes from Dasturi Naka to reach the hamlet. The walk is pleasant but Matheran remains a little town cut-off from everyday conveniences that we are used to. So here are some pointers you should keep in mind while visiting / booking a hotel in Matheran. Do take it all in good stride and enjoy the views, the greenery and the peace. 

From Dasturi Naka, guests have to make their own arrangements to reach the hotel. This is not a problem since horses, handcarts and coolies are available in plenty at Dasturi Naka. The min. average rate is Rs. 120/- for a horse, Rs. 120/- for a handcart and Rs. 50 for a porter. 

Matheran experiences electricity load shedding Twice in a day for three hours each. Although allmost every hotels have power backup but you would not be able to switch on televisions or air conditioners during this time.

Certain television channels are not available in Matheran despite of a cable connection.

The rooms are, at best, quite basic, excluding certain top resorts. And even they would have a sprinkling of Matheran’s famous red earth on the floor. It’s inevitable.
Hotels do not have room service and guests have to come down to the dining hall for meals.

Mobile phones have very low or no signal.

How to reach Matheran?

By Air
Nearest airport is Mumbai (100kms) and Pune(120 kms).From there, you'll need to switch to train or road. One can take a bus or taxi Neral to Matheran-a journey which takes about half an hour.The Taxis stop about 2.5 km from the centre of the hill station and from there you can either take walk down or go on a horseback or hand-pulled rickshaws.Another option is to go on a trek (11 km) amdist some wonderful scenery.

By Road
Mumbai to Matheran: From Mumbai you need to go to Navi Mumbai and from there towards Panvel for the  Mumbai Pune Expressway. 8 km ahead  exit at the Shedung/ Khopoli turnoff and get onto the old Bombay Poona road. 21 Kms. before Khapoli, and after 65 Kms from Thane station, a turn to  the left will lead you to a place called Chowk where a big green sign will direct you  for Matheran. From then on , regular road signs will guide you. From Chowk to Karjat rail crossing is 9 km, then 12 km to Neral at the tip of the hill.After that the last stretch of the road (about 7 km) is on the ghat which leads you to Dasturi Naka where you need to park your car as this is the last point till where cars are allowed .Dasturi Naka  is 11 km (2 hours) from Matheran.

Pune to Matheran:Take the Pune Mumbai Expressway at Pune and get off  at the Khopoli exit after passing Lonavala/ Khandala and get onto the old Poona Bombay road. Approximately 18 km later, turn right at a place called Chowk where a big green sign directs you to turn right for Matheran. From then on ,e regular road signs will guide you. From Chowk to Karjat rail crossing is 9 km, then 12 km to Neral at the tip of the hill. After that the last stretch of the road (about 7 km) is on the ghat which leads you to Dasturi Naka where you need to park your car as this is the last point till where cars are allowed .Dasturi Naka  is 11 km (2 hours) from Matheran.

By Rail
Matheran is also connected by rail.  From Mumbai, trains like the Deccan Express and also various local trains ply on the Mumbai - Karjat/ Khapoli (Via Neral) route frequently while from Pune it is the Sahyadri Express , the only long-distance passenger train that stops at Neral (21 km).From Neral, you can take a special, narrow gauge "toy train" that stops at 3 stations on its way  - 2 on the ghat - Juma Patti Station and Water pipe Station [Named so because the old steam engines used to be refilled here] and one near Dasturi Naka - Aman Lodge Station). Except during the monsoon season (June-September), there are several trains a day on the mountain railway. These take 2 hours to cover the climb to their destination.  During the monsoon, the service is restricted to one train a day and during heavy rains even this can be cancelled due to landslides.