Matheran : Getting There
(Best period for visit) Matheran is a beautiful wooded hill station of Maharashtra worth visiting during October to May. To reach it one can also enjoy the thrill of the journey by a miniature train, which is an additional bonus. This is the nearest hill station to Mumbai (111 kms), at an altitude of 803,47 metres. It's a great experience to travel from Neral station to the top by means of the mini-train, using a narrow gauge line. Taxi services are also available. From the station, it is a 10 to 15 minutes' walk and there are plenty of coolies that are most willing to carry your luggage for 40/50 Rs. In Matheran, no cars are allowed, which makes the place even more interesting. You can even visit the main sights by horse car. The journey involves an adventurous two hour ascent in a toy train. With food and drink vendors and monkeys jumping on and off, as the valley glides by sedately! Or a tough 11 km. hike through thick and shady forests. Matheran’s cliffs with incredibly steep drops to the plains below create stunning viewing points.
A taxi service also operates between Neral and Matheran 24 hours at the rate of INR 40 per head. This is the quickest mode of transport taking only twenty minutes.Passengers alighting at the taxi stand are advised to take a coolie and proceed to the hotel via the railway line.
Many enthusiastic hikers climb the hill from Neral on foot. It is a fairly stiff climb and takes at least two to three hours. Once one arrives at Matheran walking becomes a pleasure and must.
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