Mumbai to Matheran Taxi

Mumbai to Matheran route takes around 2 and half hours of time and is dotted with many scenic locations, which you can stop while travelling in your chosen rental car from Mumbai Drive.

The most common route is around 82 km in distance and it goes via the Mumbai–Pune Highway till the Chowk village. From there you are required to turn towards Karjat, then through Neral to reach Matheran. You will have to get down to Dasturi Naka and from there take a hand pulled rickshaw or horse cart to enter the hill station.Another route to Matheran from Mumbai is via Badlapur – Katai Rd. It is also 80 km long. You can also travel via Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Trans Hbr Link. This route is about 100 km but takes almost a similar amount of travel time.

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Louisa Point

At this Louisa point, you will probably get the best view of the hill station. From here, you can have an amazing view of the Prabal fort and Vishalgad fort. This point is also known for activities like hiking, horse riding, and camping. 

Charlotte Lake

A popular picnic spot, this lake offers peaceful surroundings. Home to many migratory birds, it is also a popular place for birdwatching. Next to it is the Pisarnath Mandir. 

Shivaji’s Ladder

A serene place with captivating view and exciting terrain, it is often frequented by trekkers. This pathway is between One Tree Hill Point and the Matheran Valley. The steps on this path are in the shape of a ladder.

One Tree Hill Point

Located only 3 km away from the city centre, it is one of the best view points of Matheran, offering a captivating panoramic view of the dense forests, valleys and mountain range, surrounding this hill station. It is also popular for trekking. 

Around a similar distance from the centre of the town are the Panorama Point and the Monkey Point. 

Echo Point

Another place to visit for an entrancing view is the Eco Point. It is located on the left side of Charlotte Lake. Here you can try rope climbing and zip lining.

If you wish to explore more viewpoints, then you are in luck. Alexander point, Porcupine Point, Honeymoon Hill point, Chowk Point, Palasdari Lake, Garbut Point and Sunrise Point/Rambagh point (near Karjat) are some locations, offering alluring views of the mountains and valleys.

If you are planning for a long holiday in Matheran then you can visit sightseeing locations nearby as well. Morbe Dam (30 km), Prabal Fort, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Karnala Fort, Dhodani Waterfalls are some of the worth visiting locations. Also squeeze in some time and visit the Irshalgad Fort between Matheran and Panval.

Like most of the hill stations, Matheran is also known for adventure sports like trekking, rock climbing and rappelling. Some of the popular sites for trekking and rock climbing are  Kalavantin pinnacle, Chanderi caves, Irshadgad fort, Louisa point, Alexander Point and Prabal Fort.

This hill station is also ideal for camping. There are many camping sites to choose from such as Alexander Point, Kalavantin Durg Valley Campsite, Pay Master Park, Attra Holidays And Camping Farms and Sabharwal Farms Campsite.

A ride in the Neral-Matheran Toy Train is also a must when in Matheran. Olympia horse racecourse in Raigad is also an interesting location for sports enthusiasts.

And if interested, you can also seek blessings at Ambarnath Shiv Temple and Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir.

A popular hill station, Matheran is frequented for all kinds of holidays. This is one reason why the hill station has an extensive range of accommodation choices as well. Here are a few popular ones to consider.

Adamo the Resort– It is a 3 star hotel with all the modern facilities like health club, swimming pool, restaurant, etc. It is around 25 minutes from Neral Railway station. Here you can choose from 42 rooms, which are further categorised into Bungalow, Deluxe Villa, Royale Suite, Regency Deluxe and Regent Deluxe.

Treebo Trend Shalimar In The Forest– This hotel is perfect if you are looking for a comfortable stay at affordable rates. Here, you will have access to facilities like restaurants, laundry service, spacious rooms with coffee tables, attached bathrooms and wardrobes.

Dune Barr House– Verandah in the Forest-  For a heritage experience, book this resort. The building is more than 170 years old, with aesthetic rooms and luxurious facilities. It also has laundry service, walking tours, horseback riding, bicycle rental, etc.

The Byke Heritage– Another heritage property to stay in Matheran is The Byke Heritage. It is a 3 star hotel, with on-site restaurant, indoor swimming pool, game room, banquet halls, etc. Rooms are comfortable and beautifully furnished.

Usha Ascot– It is another popular 3 star hotel in Matheran, which is only a few minutes from the railway station. It has different kinds of rooms, ranging from Ascot Villa, Luxury Villa, to Super Deluxe, and Deluxe Rooms. Various facilities are also available like conference halls, in-house restaurant, children’s play park, swimming pool, etc.

Matheran is known for leather items, Kolhapuri footwear and sweet Chikki. Visit Ratanbai Peston jee Kapadia Memorial Market to shop for all these items and even more.

Tip Top Footwear is another place selling an amazing collection of Kolhapuri style chappals and shoes. For other types of leather items like wallets, belts, handbags, etc, you can explore the Shoe Shine’s Leather Boutique.

Do take some time to visit Bhagyashree Bags to see their collection of handbags and purses. And for the best chikki, visit the Nariman Chikki Mart. Here you get not just jaggery but also honey based nutty chikkis.

The best time to plan a Matheran road trip is the winter months from November to February. It is an ideal time for trekking and other outdoor activities. Another good time to visit is from March to June, as the weather remains pleasant in this hill station, allowing a soothing break from the heat of summer months. In monsoon, this area receives heavy rainfall, hence it is better to avoid road trips during this time.

When in Matheran, you have to try the authentic Maharashtrian dishes like Puran Poli, Usal, Misal Pav, Vada Pav, Bhakri, Varan Bhaat, Batata Vada and many more. It has many popular restaurants offering mouth-watering snacks and Marathi veg dishes.

Hotel Panorama Restaurant, Garden view restaurant, The Dining Room and Regal Hotel are known for their Maharashtrian dishes. For Malvani cuisine visit Kokan Katta restaurant. Another place to visit for good food and good ambience is the MadhavJi Point.