Matheran Tourism
Barely 171 kms from Mumbai, Matheran, discovered by Hugh Mallet, collector of
Thane district, in 1850, has long been a refuge for humidity-stricken Mumbaikars
(as the residents of the metropolis are known).
Its 8 sq kms cover a hilltop in the Sahyadri Hills, and its proximity to Mumbai
ensures its' continued popularity for weekend getaways. All motor vehicles are
prohibited in Matheran, so the air is squeaky clean. However the only mode of
transport, other than walking, is on horseback and hand-pulled rickshaws.
How to Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport, Mumbai, 100 km, is well connected with national and international
flights. From there, you'll need to switch to train or road.
By Rail
The rail journey to Matheran is half the fun of your trip. Neral, the nearest
railhead (21 km), is connected to Mumbai, Pune and other parts of Maharashtra.
From here, a special, narrow gauge "toy train" gets you up, puffing
and wheezing all the way.
Except during the monsoon season (June-September), there are several trains
a day on the mountain railway. These take 2 hours to cover the climb to their
destination. Stations on the way have names like Water pipe and there is also
the famous One Kiss Tunnel. During the monsoon, the service is restricted to
one train a day and during heavy rains even this can be cancelled due to landslides.
By Road
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.
Matheran Tourism, Undiscovered Destinations
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