Matheran is one such ‘hill station near Mumbai’ which is quite perhaps the most beautiful hill stations in the state of Maharashtra. Traveling away from Mumbai, one cannot stop complaining about the city and its jaded chaos. Matheran, which is roughly around 90 kilometer away from the city, is quite apt for those who want to relax and want to enjoy a little bit of nature after the craziness of the week.
This tiny hill station, which is known as a no vehicle zone, has trees and old British buildings in its resume which is a provided a good change.Mumbaikars, looking forward to refreshing weekend travel, should often visit this charming hilly city since it does have a lot of enchanting sights to offer. In this article we will provide a step by step guide on how best to enjoy a two day stress-free weekend in Matheran.
Weekend in Matheran Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive and begin exploring
Morning: Depart from Mumbai Further north
Plan to spend the weekend out of town early on Saturday morning. And the best way to get to Matheran is by taking a train from Mumbai to the closest railway station, Neral. The trip by train will take around 2 hours. You can use the well-known toy train from Neral, which goes all the way up the hill with beautiful views. One can also grab a shared cab or taxi to Dasturi Point, which is the last point that can be traversed by vehicle before Matheran.
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Late Morning: Arrival in Matheran
When you reach Dasturi Point, you have to get out of your vehicle or hire a horse or a hand-pulled rickshaw which will take you to the Matheran main market area. Matheran is so peaceful mostly due to the absence of any vehicles which more or less means no air pollution.
Refresh yourself at the accommodation of your choice. Matheran has quite a few places where one can stay, which range from heritage bungalows to modern day resorts. Most of these properties are located in green belts which make it ideal for a weekend getaway.
Lunch: Local Delicacies
When you have settled in, proceed to the market area for lunch. Maharashtrian food is also served in Matheran and so you can relish a few local dishes like Pithla Bhakri, Misal Pav or Vada Pav during your visit. There are other options for Vegetarian food available including North Indian and South Indian food as well.
Afternoon: Sightseeing
After a light lunch, you can commence your Matheran sightseeing tour by visiting some of the famous Matheran points known as “points”. Start with Oasis Point, as it offers superb views of the other hills and even valleys at 360 degrees. So, on a good day you might also get to view the distant flat lands of the Konkan region.
Next on the list is Louisa Point, which is among the favorite places to visit in Matheran with stunning views of Prabal Fort and also the majestic valley around it. This particular point is also known for the wonderful views of the sun set from this point, so do plan your visit well.
Another attraction not to miss is the Echo Point, and here you can comfortably bellow and expect to hear the echoes throwing back your words and sounds from the valley. This is a sizeable space where all ages will appreciate.
Evening: Rest and Relax
As the day comes to an end and the sun sets you will go back to where you are staying and take a break. One can also sit outside on the verandah with a cup of hot tea or coffee as evening in Matheran is pleasantly cool whenever a person visits. Several hotels and resorts in Matheran also conduct cultural programs including regional dances and music in the evening.
For the evening meal either you can have your dinner in the hotel or you can go out for some more of the restaurants which are on the market area. There are no signs of any nightlife in Matheran since all the activities that one would normally do at night are done during the day.
Day 2: Nature Walks and Adventure
Early Morning: Sunrise at Panorama Point
Make sure to set an early alarm for day two as you have to start off with a quick visit to the Panorama Point to see the Sunrise. The early morning sun coupled with the peaceful surroundings, is something that will remain in your mind even after you leave. The morning works best for going to Panorama Point, considering that one would like to see the sights of Matheran, with fog in the air and birds in the morning.
Breakfast: A Hearty Meal
It’s time to head back to your hotel for a warm and nourishing breakfast. A number of hotels offer the Maharashtrian forms or dishes like Poha, Upma and so on with more of continental breakfast options. The most important meal of the day comes to the rescue.
Late Morning: Trekking and Horse Riding
Matheran is nothing short of a wonderland for trekking lovers since there are multiple trails over and under that hill station. If you are feeling a little sporty, you can trek to One Tree Hill Point which at its peak is just a singular dead tree. The trek is a little bit tiring but the stunning views from the top make it all worth it
If you’re not up for the hike, you can enjoy horseback riding, which is one of the most favored activities in Matheran. You can easily hire horses and proceed on the horseback along the forest trails seeing the various points around. This is a good way to go more places without straining yourself much.
Lunch: Pack your lunch and head towards Charlotte Lake for a picnic.
Having spent the morning wandering around, now it is time start having some fun and it is possible to do so by going to Charlotte Lake for lunch. This area with the lake is one of those pleasant peaceful parts of Matheran within the wooded forests. You can either take your own food to the lake or buy some light refreshment from the vendors positioned by the lake.
The region encompassing the Charlotte Lake is very calm and picturesque, as such, it provides a good environment for walking around, watching birds, and taking photographs. Its quiet surrounding enhances relaxation and appreciation of the picture perfect scenery.
Afternoon: Take a tour of the Historic Prabal Fort.
In the afternoon, if you are up for any additional adventure and exploration I would recommend going to Prabal Fort. The current state of the fort might not impress, but there are some worthwhile views of the surroundings and the historical background of the area can be realized. It is a long trek to the fort and therefore suited to people with a moderate level of physical fitness.
Evening: Market Shopping Even though the time has come for you to leave Matheran, do take some time to stop by at the local market. Matheran is famous for its chikkis, for leather items and also for handicrafts. This market is also an ideal place to shop for some gifts for your friends and relations.
Late Evening: Departure Now that the weekend is over, and you have enjoyed Matheran to the fullest, you will have to start moving back to Dasturi Point for your journey back to Mumbai. In case you have opted for the toy train, make it point to find the train timings as the last one is usually scheduled for late afternoon.
Weekend getaways in Matheran serve as an ideal remedy to Mumbaites who are constantly running back and forth. Matheran is a delightful place to escape to and refresh both body and brain thanks to her tranquil atmosphere coupled with magnificent nature and leisurely pace.
Whether it is standing at the various viewpoints, trekking in the woods, or just resting on the bed at the hotel, every traveler will encounter something in Matheran. The next time rest is what you want for the weekend, away from the busy city of Mumbai, drop everything and go to Matheran.
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