Away from the mad rush of the metropolis, the scenic hillock of Matheran promises to leave you rejuvenated. Completely covered in clouds during the monsoons, you lose all sense of time once you step into this peaceful holiday destination.
A wonderful example of eco-tourism, the beauty of Matheran is its quite un-paved back roads and peace. No motor vehicles are allowed in this town and the only way of getting around is on horseback.
Tourists visiting Matheran often complain of rooms being ransacked when they return from sightseeing. That is not the work gangs of robbers but the antics of monkeys who are always hunting for food. So remember to lock your hotel room doors and windows when you leave for an outing.
If you enjoy getting soaked to the bone in the rains then Matheran offers the best leisure walks in the wild. From the market you can stroll up to Gulistan Point where there is an old unoccupied bungalow on the edge of the mountain which provides majestic views of the valley, as and when the blanket of cloud clears.
Other popular spots are Porcupine Point, Monkey Point, Panorama Point and Echo Point, that offer enchanting views of the Sahyadri range.
Like the other popular hill stations in the state, here too you can buy a variety of chikkis and fudge.
How to get there
Matheran is 108 km away from Mumbai.
Take a Karjat local train either from CST or from Dadar and get off at Neral. From Neral station hire a cab to Dasturi Naka after which you will have to walk up to the main bazaar.
If you are driving, take NH 4 till Chauk and turn left onto the state highway to Neral, past Chinchavli and then climb up to Dasturi Naka.
Where to stay
Plenty of lodging options are available, for details click here .
Photograph: Suraj S
Also see: Matheran, a walk with Nature
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