Matheran

Bombay CST to Neral station by
train approx. 2 hrs.
Neral to Matheran by train approx. 2 hrs.
South Bombay to Matheran car park by tourist taxi approximately two and a half to three
hours depending on traffic.
Neral to Matheran by taxi 25 to 30 minutes.
Matheran car park to Main Bazaar and Lords Central Hotel approx. 40 minutes walk.

Matheran station to Lords Central Hotel approx. 7 minutes walk across the Main Bazaar.
LOCAL CHARGES

The MatMatheran municipality
collects a charge of Rs. 25 per person which goes towards the upkeep of the town tourist facilities.
TOUTS
Like other tourist places, the
moment you reach Matheran you will be surrounded by Porters, Rickshaw-Pullers, Horse Attendants and Touts.
The Touts or Porters recommend you certain hotels or
lodges and try to sell you accommodation at places that offer them a hefty commission. These Touts are unscrupulous and will aggressively run down hotels that do
not encourage them. Do not be surprised if you ask for lodge and are told that the hotel was shut down 20 years ago! Matheran does not need a guide or a commission
agent to find accommodation. Just get to the main bazaar and you will find that all accommodation is within 5 or 10 minutes walking from here. The Touts are mostly
employed by the numerous illegal "lodges". These are of questionable reputation, do not have a license to operate and are usually in filthy surroundings.
They employ the most aggressive Touts to lure the unwary visitor.
CAR PARK TO LORDS
Horse ride charges to Lords Central Hotel RS 80 per
person.
Hand pulled rickshaw charges to Lords Central Hotel RS 120 to RS 150.
Porter charge (per porter, not per bag) RS 60 to RS 80.
TAXI
CHARGES
The best way to get to Matheran is by train or by car directly from Bombay or Pune.
It is difficult to get last minute seats on the Neral
Matheran toy train.
If seats are not available or there is no scheduled train, then share taxi is the next option.
Charges are RS 250 for a full taxi.
(It will take only you and leave immediately)
RS 50 per person in a sharing taxi (5 persons to a taxi) though the operators usually stuff in as many as 8 to a
taxi if nobody objects.
Be prepared for a totally run down looking vintage vehicle that doesn't look like it will go for more than a few meters before dying
out. But these vehicles do this trip many times a day with no problem whatsoever.
If you are sharing a taxi and the requisite number of people are not
available then do offer to pay for the absent persons so that the taxi leaves right away. (You may actually save a few hours this way).
HORSE RIDING

Usually RS 100 per hour or a package trip to 5 or 7 points for RS 125 to RS 150. Please fix the rate in advance and specify whether it is per hour or
per package.
Please wear a pair of trousers while riding. Shorts or a skirt will result in a painful case of totally bruised thighs.
Try not to go
horseback riding for more than a couple of hours a day. More than this and you will probably regret it the next day.
HAND PULLED RICKSHAW
/>Rates for this vary from RS 150 for an hour to RS 300 for a package of points. Ignore rickshaw-pullers who do a great acting job of being totally exhausted
pulling you along. This usually results in you a feeling of sympathy for them and helps them getting a big fat tip.
PORTERS
Both women
and men are available as porters. We would recommend that you use the services of the women, they are genuinely poor and need the income. The men just use the money
to get drunk.
WEATHER
November to Mid March between 14° C to 26° C.
Mid March to mid June 26° C to 29° C.
Mid June to end
September Monsoon. Heavy incessant rain and a temperature between 19° and 23° C.
October 20° to 29° C
Mumbai - Matheran by Rail...

The closest railway station to Matheran is Neral Junction on the Main line, which originates from Chatrapathi Shivaji Terminus Station (C.S.T), formerly known as
Victoria Terminus (V.T.). You can depart Mumbai as early as 6:35 AM aboard the Deccan Express or 8:45 AM aboard the Koyna Express or otherwise, every hour or so
aboard the Karjat local trains. From Neral Junction you could either share a taxi upto Dasturi- the last motorable point before Matheran. Or you switch to the
mountain railway a.k.a. - 'The Toy Train'. It'll be the finest thrill you'll get in a slow-moving train. Because, as you'll see, Matheran is a hill 800 mts. above
sea-level. On week days, the toy train departs Neral at 8.30 AM, 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM with extra trains at 6:50 AM, 12:40 PM and 3:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
The train weaves and meanders, chugs and pulls at a stately 10 kms. per hour through virgin forests, forgotten hamlets and monkey land. You marvel at the
technology, skill and will to conquer the steep gradient. Leaves and branches brush past you, the monkeys amble alongside teasing you, butterflies float in and out
enroute to another flower. Reservations for both the Mumbai CST to Neral and Neral to Matheran legs can be done at any of the computerised reservation centers in
India.
Mumbai - Matheran by Road...
You set off on the old Bombay Pune road through Dadar, Chembur, New Bombay… By and by, you leave the
concrete chaos, the milling crowds & the snarling traffic behind. You get on to the Mumbai Pune Expressway at Panvel. 8 kms later you exit at the Shedung-
Khopoli turnoff and get back onto the old Bombay Pune road. Approximately 15 kms later at a town called Chouk a big green sign over the road asks you to turn left
for Matheran. From then on there are regular road signs to guide you. So far you've traversed Dadar--- Chembur---Vashi---Panvel. And the 16 kms from Panvel to
Chouk. From Chouk to Karjat rail crossing is 9 kms, then 12 kms to Neral and another 7 kms to Dasturi Point. No vehicles are allowed to pass this point but it's a
pleasant 40-minute walk to the center of Matheran and Lord's Central Hotel 2 minutes later. If shaded lanes don't appeal to you for some or the other reason, you
can avail of a quaint hand pulled rickshaw or an exhilarating horseback ride.
Pune - Matheran by Rail...
The Sahyadri Express departing
Pune Junction at 8:15 AM is the only long-distance passenger train that stops at Neral. Alternatively, you board the Sinhagad Express departing Pune at 6:00 AM,
alight at Karjat Junction, and then move on towards Neral boarding a local train.
Pune - Matheran by Road...
You get off the Pune-Mumbai
Expressway at the Khopoli exit after passing Lonavla/Khandala and get onto the old Pune-Mumbai road. Approximately 18 kms later, you turn right as per a big green
sign, in Chouk town. Follow the signs from then on.
Instructions on how to get from Neral to Matheran can be found on the corresponding Mumbai-Matheran Page.

From Lonavla...
Follow the Old Pune, Bombay road towards Bombay upto a distance of 18 kms past Khopoli, you turn right as per a big
green sign, in Chouk town. Follow the signs from then on. INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO GET FROM NERAL TO MATHERAN CAN BE FOUND ON THE CORRESPONDING MUMBAI-MATHERAN PAGE.
On additional charges, Lord's Central Hotel can arrange to have you picked up at Lonavla.
Toy train schedule from Neral to Matheran
Train No. Train Name
Dep.Time Arr.Time
601 Neral Matheran Passen. 08:40 10:40
607 Passanger 10:15 12:15
603 Passanger 11:00 13:00
605 Passanger 17:00 19:00

GETTING THERE
The nearest airport is Bombay (Mumbai), around 100 km away.
From Mumbai, one can take a local train to Neral, where a
tiny toy train waits to take people to Matheran. Mumbai to Neral takes around two hours, while the toy-train journey takes an hour and a half.
Mumbai to Neral
is around 90 km, while Neral to Matheran is 21 km.
WHAT TO SEE
There are numerous viewpoints like Chouk, Panorama, Garbut Point, Louisa,
Echo, etc., in Matheran.
Karsondas Mulji Library: Founded in 1897 at the far end of Mahatma Gandhi Road. A sign on the wall reads, "No
one ever really paid the price of a book, only the price of printing it.
Panorama Point: 5 kms north of the post office, has the most
spectacular views. Below lies Neral, to the west Mumbai and to the north are the Ghats. It's a popular place to watch the sun rise.
Monkey Point:
which look down over the plains.
Porcupine Point: further to the southwest, is the popular sunset view.
Louisa Point
: three kms west of the post office, is on a plateau with views of the ruined forts Prabal and Vishalgarh. One of the nearby rocks is called Lion's Head
because of its supposed resemblance to one.
Echo Point: really does have an echo.
Chowk Point: 4 kms from the post
office, is at the extreme southern end of Matheran.
Rambagh: lies 2 kms away looking towards Khandala and Karjat.
Alexander
Point: one km to the north, one can see Garbut Point, the Chowk valley and the Ulhas River.
Mount Barry: is one of the highest spots
in Matheran, with splendid views. Between Mount Barry and Panorama Point is Governor's Hill, another viewpoint. The Panthers' Caves and the Paymaster Park are
other attractions, especially for children.
Charlotte Lake: is the main source of drinking water for the town. The lake looks splendid in the
monsoon, with swirling coffee brown water, but dries up in the summer. Near the dam are some food stalls and the main Hindu temple, the Pisarnath Mandir.

What to shop
The main Mahatma Gandhi Road is lined with shops selling the famous chikki sweets and local honey. Chikki is a softer version of
peanut brittle made from jaggery and there are seemingly endless varieties--peanut, sesame seed, coconut, ginger and mango. Decorative grasses are also dried
locally. Another specialty is footwear. Local craftsmen will make a pair of sandals, shoes or riding boots to order in just a few days. There are walking - stick
shops, snacks shops and even a video games parlour. The Kapadia market, is the main bazaar.The main bazaar offers a variety of items such as cane and leather
articles, hats, chappals etc.
Where to Stay

Maharashtra State Tourism Development Corporation's (MTDC)
Madam Cama Road
>(Tel: 202 7762)

Hotel Grade Rate per couple Plan
Brightlands
*** Rs. 2190/- (2N / 3D) Room & All Meals
Rangoli Retreat
**** Rs.
1000/- Room & All Meals
Regal Hotel
** Rs. 2800/- (2 Nights) Room, All Meals & taxes
Richie Rich
*** Rs. 3300/- (2 Nights) Room, All
Meals & taxes
Royal Hotel
*** Rs. 1500/- Room and All Meals
Woodlands Hotel
** Rs. 1730/- Room, All Meals & Taxes
USHA ASCOT

M.G. Road,
Opp. Municipal Market,
Matheran
PH: ( 02148) 230360 / 230361
HOTEL RUGBY
Vithalrao Kotwal Road,
Matheran
PH:
(02148) 230504 / 230510
BRIGHTLANDS RESORTS
Maulana Azad Road, Matheran
PH: (02148) 230344 / 230244 / 230417 / 230418
FAX: (02148) 230532
/>Rs. 2190/- per person for 2 nights / 3 days (For Wood Cottages)
Rs. 3190/- per person for 3 nights / 4 days (For Wood Cottages)
Rs. 2490/- per person
for 2 nights / 3 days (Non-A/C Deluxe)
Rs. 3490/- per person for 3 nights / 4 days (Non-A/C Deluxe)
Rs. 2890/- per person for 2 nights / 3 days (A/C
Deluxe)
Rs. 3890/- per person for 3 nights / 4 days (A/C Delulxe)
CECIL HOTEL
Matheran
PH: (02148) 230216 / 230047
HOTEL KUMAR PLAZA

Opp. Matheran Post Office,
Near Station,
Matheran
PH: (02148) 230329 / 230550
WOODLANDS HOTEL
Chinoy Road,
Matheran

PH: (02148) 230271 / 230274
Bombay PH: (022) 22823245 / 22823246 / 22882890 / 22880442
Fax: (022) 22871846
You can check Package Deals, here.
/>HOTEL RIVIERA
Near Market,
Kasturba Road,
Matheran.
Bombay PH: (022) 2374 2560 / 61, 22810121 / 22811715.
MALDOONGA RESORT HOTEL
/>Malet Rd.
Matheran
HOTEL RANGOLI
B.P. 187, M.G. Road, Opp. Railway Station, Matheran, Maharashtra, India Matheran Ph: 02148 - 230272
THE
BYKE
End of Market Road,
Matheran
PH: (02148) 230365
FAX: (02148) 230316
Lords Central Hotel,
Matheran - 410102
Maharashtra
State India.
Tel. 91-2148-30228 Fax. 91-2148-30595
ANAND HILL VIEW RESORTS
Next to Police Station
in Main Market,
Matheran
PH:
(02148) 230001 / 230002 / 230003
RICHIE RICH
Matheran.
Ph: +91-2148- 230007 / 8
Fax: +91-2148-230111
Welcome Drink on Arrival,
Luxurious AC / NON AC Rooms, Skating Ring and Children Activities, Late Check Out, All Meals, Taxes etc, Included in tariff.
ANANDRITZ
Matheran.

Ph: +91-22-2703737 / 270 3838
Five Star Accommodations, Free alcoholic drink upto Rs: 500 per Package, 3rd Day, Late Check out after Lunch, 3rd Night Free
Stay Extenuation on request, Fully Equipped with all modern amenities. Tariff from Rs: 2200 Onwards.
ROYAL HOTEL
SEASON : DIWALI, CHRISTMAS, MAY &
JUNE
MTDC Resorts
Dasturinaka Naka, Matheran, Raigarh, Maharashtra – 410102, Ph: 02148 – 230277
Rs. 600

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