City Info
Matheran - How to get there:
By Airways:
The nearest airport, Mumbai, 100 km, is well connected with national and international flights. From there, one can come by train or road.
By Railways:
The rail journey to Matheran is full of fun. Neral, the nearest railhead (21 km), is connected to Mumbai, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra. From here, a special, narrow gauge "toy train" takes you, puffing and wheezing all the way. Except during the monsoon season (June-September), there are several trains a day on the mountain railway which takes 2 hours to reach. During the monsoon, the service is restricted to one train a day and during heavy rains even this can be cancelled due to landslides. The tiny train service has been temporarily stopped for past one year.
By Roadways:
State Transport buses regularly ply from Mumbai and Pune. A taxi from Neral to Matheran takes about half hour to reach. Taxis stop about 2.5 km from the centre of the hill station.
By Other Means:
Inside Matheran no vehicles are allowed, so from here you’ll have to either use man-pulled rickshaw or you can enjoy horse riding.
About
Matheran is an undulating hilltop at an altitude of 800 m. The journey involves an adventurous two-hour ascent in a toy train, with food and drink vendors.
Matheran’s uniqueness lies in the fact that air-polluting vehicles are not allowed. You have to reach Matheran either by the toy train, or you have to reach Dasturi (nearly 11 km away from Matheran Railway Station) by car / taxi & then climb up the remaining hills by walking / on horse. By keeping the vehicular traffic away, not only Matheran retains its clean & calm atmosphere, but also takes you nearly 200 years back when there were no cars. Horses are the main mode of transport.
Tourist Attractions
Lake Charlotte
This lake is the main source of drinking water for the town. It is also a popular picnic spot and looks splendid in the monsoon, but dries up in the summer. Near the dam is the main Hindu temple, the Pisarnath Mandir.
Mount Barry
One of the highest spots in Matheran, this has splendid views. Governors Hill, another viewpoint, is between Mount Barry and Panorama Point.
Shopping
Buy chikki (peanut brittle), honey, walking-sticks, and custom crafted leather footwear.