Review By: Sangeeta Sanjay Chaubal Review Date: 02 Oct 2010
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Matheran is one of the most visited destinations in Mumbai. Due to its closeness to Mumbai and Pune, this place is regularly frequented by tourists and visitors during weekends. One can find this place quite crowded during weekends and during national holidays. Like all other hill stations, Matheran was too developed as a hill station, by British.
The toy train of Matheran is worth traveling. Though it goes very slow and takes a lot of time reaching Matheran, still the journey is really amazing. It goes through the mountains and ghats and right at Jummapatti Station it comes parallel to the road. Then again it parts way. But the train travels so slow that you can even walk with it up to the station. One best part is you get to eat some nice Chikki or other eatables at the various stations the train halts.
The Ministry of Forest declared Matheran as an eco-sensitive zone, no vehicles are allowed inside this hill station. Horse-ride is the most common mode of transport in Matheran. Even if you visit this place by car, you need to park it at the Dasturi Park, which is the parking area of Matheran. The vehicles are safe here, even if you keep it for a day or two. No problems!
One also has to pay an entry fee to enter Matheran. The fee charged is around Rs.25/- per adult and Rs.10 per child. The fees are charged by the Matheran Municipal council. From Dasturi Park, one can either take a horse ride or just walk. There are man pull auto rickshaws, but I am really not sure about them. Anyways, you can walk down from here to Matheran as it is just 2.5 km away. There are porters who can help you with luggage.
Walking up to Matheran from Neral is a splendid idea. It comes out as a great trek. One has to walk around 10 km to reach Matheran from Neral. The trail is very interesting as you pass through green farms, streams and most of all the narrow gauge line. Now here the trekkers also get to take a break at the Jummapatti station, where you can enjoy some good snacks. This station has a couple of food joints set up by Locals. The best part about these trails is that they are properly marked and one doesn't have to fear of being lost.
The best time to visit Matheran is during post monsoons. Right around September or October. One can visit Matheran throughout the year, but Post monsoons, the climate is totally different. Then you also get to see some beautiful waterfalls. One should not visit this place during monsoons. There are many reasons for that. Firstly, the toy train may not be available during monsoons, since there are quite many cases of landslides. Additionally the Matheran roads aren't tarred, so they get muddy and that could be a bit of trouble. As I said, walking is all you do in Matheran. So, in case you plan to travel by car, do make a visit, but only during post monsoons.
There is lot to visit in Matheran, when it comes to sightseeing. If you start up early in the morning, then what you can do is start of your trek on the trails provided. You do end up on some or the other point. Other than points the valleys everywhere offer a panoramic view of the area nearby.
One should definitely visit Charlotte Lake. The lake is beautiful and resembles a painting with a beautiful Pisarnath Temple situated right on the banks of the lake. Each and every point offers same or the other beauty.
Beware of the monkeys, as there are lots of them everywhere. Especially near your hotels. These monkeys are really scary, and if you keep your hotel door open, they may even sneak in and take away you eatables. But then they are part of Matheran, and its good to see them playing around.
This hill station definitely makes into my wish list and I would love to rate it as 4 out of 5 stars for its uniqueness and specialty.
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Good: Unpolluted, Beautiful, Eco-sensitive, Good spot for trekking
Bad: Difficult to visit during monsoons
Recommend: Yes
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