Matheran is a hill station in Maharashtra, India. It is located in the Raigad district. The name of this hill station comes from a local shepherd. This place is situated in the Western Ghats. Matheran is known for its tea-houses, the toy train, and panoramic views of the region. The toy train in Matheran runs from Neral to Matheran. The Matheran Light Railway was built in 1907 by Martin & Company. The railway was built under the guidance of Frederick Thomas Granville Walton. This railway was built to help the British residents of Bombay reach Matheran easily.
It is a beautiful place and situated in a forest that is at a higher altitude. Due to the height, the temperature is much cooler than Mumbai or Pune and it’s a place where you can enjoy a refreshing holiday. While there are plenty of activities to do in Matheran, the most popular is riding horses. There are many horses for you to ride and you can ride through the forest trails. A recommended day is those where you can stop by the Tea Garden, the Winding Shola, or the Magnetic Hill. The perfect time to visit Matheran is in the summer when the monsoon season is over and the leaves start changing colors. The most perfect time to visit matheran is in the late spring when the wildflowers are blooming!
Let us see the things we can do in Matheran
#1. Go for waterfall rappelling in Dodhani waterfall in Matheran
One of the most exciting activities is waterfall rappelling. Whether you are an experienced person or a person who is doing it for the first time, you will love the experience of falling from a slop with the rushing water around you. The providers of this rappelling use high-quality ropes and other important items like seat harnesses, gloves, helmets, etc. If you are not an adventurous person then you can visit Dodhani for enjoying the natural beauty of the place.
Fee: Starting from INR 1,550
Best time: July to October
Location: Matheran, Maharashtra, 410206
#2. Go on a trip to Charlotte Lake in Matheran
Charlotte lake is also known as Sharlott lake, is located 2km from the Matheran railway station. The lake is 50-foot deep and is the best place to visit in Matheran during the monsoon. To the left of the lake, an ancient temple of Pisharnath Mahadev is located where you can stop and explore its mesmerising beauty. If you love bird watching, you can visit the lake early in the morning or evening to see some beautiful birds.
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Fee: Free
Best time: During monsoon
Ideal for: People who love bird watching and want to explore Matheran
#3. Trek through the paths of Chanderi caves in Matheran
Chanderi caves are one of the best places to visit in Matheran. It is extended to a height of around 800 meters. Chanderi caves are located on the way to Karjat from Badlapur. Talking about Matheran’s adventurous activities, trekking is the no. 1 choice for adventure lovers. You can trek through the trails and witness some beautiful landscapes around you. On reaching the top, you can get to see the stunning view of the beauty of Matheran.
Fee: Starting from INR 650
Best time: July to October
Ideal for: Adventure lovers
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#4. Stop and admire the view of Louisa point in Matheran
Louisa point is one of the most famous and interesting viewpoints in Matheran. It is located near Charlotte lake. It offers beautiful views of the nature that will make us awestruck. It gives us the pleasure to see surrounding areas from a plateau. Therefore, we can have a look at historic places like Prabalgad and Vishalgad forts. You must add this place to your bucket list if you want to explore Matheran to the fullest.
Fee: Free
Best time: All round the year
Ideal for: Everyone
Location: Raigad district, Matheran, 410206
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#5. Little chowk point in Matheran
Little chowk point is another tourist attraction point in Matheran. It is a famous sightseeing point in Matheran, one of the many hill stations in Maharashtra. It is also known as “Dasangi Chowk”, as it resembles the shape of the Dashaanki temple. This point lies at an elevation of 2,007 meters and is popular among the tourists who come to Matheran. It is situated at the entrance of Matheran and is the beginning point to explore the hills. The breathtaking view of the valleys and the hills is mesmerizing and one of the best attractions of Matheran.
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Fee: Free
Best time: All round the year
Ideal for: Everyone
Location: Raigad district, Matheran, 410102
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#6. Seek blessings from Ambarnath shiv temple in Matheran
Matheran is a popular tourist destination for those looking for things to do in Matheran. One of the top reasons why this mountain station attracts so many visitors is because of its rich heritage that is extremely interesting; and if you are interested in learning more about this, it’s best to visit the ancient Ambarnath Shiv Mandir as one of the best Matheran tourist attractions. You will need to head 37 kilometers away from the hill station to Ambarnath and on your way there you will notice something extremely fascinating – its intricate architecture like that of a Hemadpanth at the entrance itself! The Hindu temple was constructed by King Mahamandaleshwar in 1060 AD as a means of honoring his ancestors and is considered one of the most famous places to visit in Matheran for good reason.
Fee: Free
Best time: All round the year
Ideal for: People who love history
Location: New Bhendi pada, Baskar Nagar, Mabernath, 421505
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#7. A journey to remember in the Toy train in Matheran
If you’ve ever wanted to step into a different world, then taking the Neral-Matheran Toy train ride should be one of your goals in life. The journey covers 21 kilometers and takes passengers across vast forests and picturesque hills on a route that was once used solely for transporting goods. While it’s not an old British invention like many people might think, this historic mode of mass transport is nonetheless an experience uniquely it is own: as its name suggests it still has the feel of miniature models from toys. While its primary riders have always been tourists from all over the country, there are also quite a few who are fascinated by history and the more romantic side of India’s past. For those who may not know it is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fee: Delux saloon: INR 1500 for a maximum of 5 people, First class: INR 300 for adults and INR 180 for children, Second class: INR 45 for adults and INR 30 for children
Best time: All round the year
Timings: 9:20 AM, 2:45 PM, and 4:20 PM
Hope you enjoyed the article on the trip to Matheran. Stay connected for more interesting pieces of information. Till then stay safe.
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