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Matheran

Pop: 5,600 Area Code: 02148

This hill station (800m), 170km east of Mumbai, is popular with Mumbai residents as a weekend getaway. Founded in 1850, it is a peaceful and relaxing place. Motor vehicles are not permitted in the town. One of the highlights of this place is the trip up from Neral on the Miniature train and the great views on the way up. Most foreigners stay only a day or two.

Matheran is busy from September to June, especially on weekends. During the monsoon, the rains can be torrential and the place shuts down. Matheran is 6.5km from Neral, but by rail it is 20km up winding tracks to get here.

Practicalities
This small town mainly runs along Mahatma Gandhi Marg (MG Marg). It becomes Shivaji Marg in the southern part of town.

There is a Rs 10 fee to enter Matheran. The Matheran railway station, where the Miniature train departs, is in the center of town.

The Tourist Office is opposite the railway station and they have a map of the town.

The GPO is south of the railway station on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, on the left.

The Union Bank of India, MG Rd, changes money. You can change money in the better hotels, but this facility is often for guests only.

What to Do
People mainly come here just to relax. There are several viewpoints around Matheran. Many have sheer cliff drops and can be especially beautiful during sunrise and sunset. They can get very crowded.

Panorama Point in the north has most likely the best views. Monkey Point in the north, Alexandra Point, Louisa Point and Porcupine Point in the south are all good scenic viewpoints.

Where to Stay
During the season, you usually have to reserve a room in advance. The high season is mid-April to mid-June and from Nov to Jan. During the monsoon (mid-June to mid-Oct), most hotels are closed or offer large discounts (up to 50%).

Most hotels offer meals with the rooms, so there are not many restaurants in town outside the hotels. Checkout time can be as early as 8 am, so you may want to check this.

Prices listed here are for the high season.

Where to Stay—Low
Hotel Rangoli, across from the station, has basic rooms for Rs 300.
Hope Hall Hotel (30193), MG Rd, is a family-run, friendly place with clean rooms with bath for Rs 400 (Rs 200 off-season). Checkout time is 10 am. It is quiet.
Hanjar House (30536) is a family-run place with clean rooms with bath for Rs 250.
MTDC Holiday Camp (30277; Mumbai 202-6713), next to the Duster parking lot, 2½ km from the center of town, has rooms ranging from Rs 350 to Rs 1000. Dorm beds are Rs 100.
Khan’s Hotel (30240), MG Marg, has basic rooms with bath for Rs 500, which includes a basic meal (Rs 300 off-season).

Where to Stay—Middle
Sayeban Lodge (30519) has clean double rooms with bath for Rs 800.
Gujarat Bhavan Hotel (30278; Mumbai 203-0876), Maulana Azad Rd, is a friendly place with large, clean, well-decorated rooms for Rs 450 per person, Rs 525 per person with TV, and Rs 600 per person for a cottage. To reserve a room in Mumbai call (022) 388-1998.
The two-star Royal Hotel (30247) has comfortable, modern rooms for Rs 1400/1800 in the high season; (Rs 700/800 low season). It has a vegetarian restaurant.
Hotel Preeti (30202) has large double rooms for Rs 500, with meals.

Where to Stay—High
Brightlands Resort (30244; fax 30532; Mumbai 642-3856) has rooms for Rs 1100 per person and Rs 1800 with A/C. It has a small pool and a disco.
Rugby Hotel (30291; fax 202-532; Mumbai 282-1781; fax 202-1090) is an older place with a good atmosphere and a nice garden. Rooms are Rs 2700/3500. It has a restaurant serving vegetarian Western and Gujarati food and a good bakery.
Usha Ascot (30360; Mumbai 200-0671), MG Marg, has a pool, health club, and a nice garden. Rooms are Rs 2800/3800. They offer a 30% discount during the off-season.
Lord’s Central Hotel (30228; Mumbai 386-7776), MG Rd, has clean standard rooms for Rs 1000 per person and Rs 1400 per person for a room with a good view of the valley. It has a good restaurant. It is a friendly, atmospheric, older place with a nice garden.
Regal Hotel (30243; Mumbai 203-1004) has cottages for Rs 1400 and Rs 2000 with A/C. There is a pool.

Where to Eat
The local specialty is chikki, a peanut-brittle-like candy made of nuts and sugar. Nariman Chikki Mart, MG Rd, has a good selection.
Kwality Fruit Juice serves good juices, chikki, and honey.

Travel
To reach Matheran you first go to the small town of Neral, 6.5km away at the base of the hill upon which Matheran is situated.

Train A Miniature train goes up the scenic hill from Neral to Matheran in two hours at 8.40 am, 11 am, and 5 pm; also, 10.20 am in April and May; only at 8.40 am during the monsoon. The train goes from Matheran to Neral at 5.45 am, 1.10 pm, and 2.35 pm; also, 4.20 pm in April and May; only at 1.10 pm during the monsoon. During the peak season, seats on the Miniature train should be reserved in advance back from Matheran to Neral. Sit on the right on the way up for the best view.

Some local trains to Karjat departing from Mumbai VT Station stop at Neral (3 hr, every hr between 6 am and 11 pm, Rs 16). Some of the express trains from Mumbai to Pune stop in Neral such as the Deccan Exp #1007 (6.35 am) and Koyna Exp #7307 (8.45 am). From Pune the Sahayadri Exp #7304 (7.55 am) stops in Neral. You could also take an express train to Karjat and a local train back to Neral. There are no direct trains from Neral to Lonavla (for the Karla Caves).

Vehicle Shared taxis and minivans go between Neral and Matheran for Rs 40 per person. Taxis Rs 200.

If you arrive by vehicle, you will be dropped off at the taxi stand, 2½ km from the center of town, which is as far as motor vehicles are permitted. It is a thirty-minute walk into town. A bicycle-rickshaw into town costs about Rs 125, and a horse ride Rs 75.

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