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Matheran is a fascinating hill-station 80-km east of Mumbai in Alibag
district is situated at an Altitude of 800m. This little hill paradise has been
left largely undisturbed, since the time when an Englishman, Hugh Mallet,
Collector of Thane, discovered it in 1850 and declared it a fine place for shady
walks.
Matheran is the closest hill station to Mumbai and Pune . Ideally suited for the
weekend Matheran provides a break from the city. Perched on top of a hill and
enveloped in shady trees, Matheran is ringed by walking tracks. The views from
the look out, which drop sheer to the plains, is fantastic. On clean days it is
even possible to see Mumbai from Hart Point.
One gets to breath fresh air over here, as vehicles of any kind are not
permitted in the town, which makes it a very quiet, serene place. This ban on
vehicles makes the journey to Matheran an adventurous journey. 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. Hikers
can opt for a tough 11-km hike through thick and shady forests.
Around Matheran :
Matheran has 38 points at which can get a glimpse of nature's beauty. However
to cover most of these points requires atleat one night stay in Matheran. Point
seeing in Matheran is quiet easy due to the presence of sign boards and map.
Maps are also easily availbale in Matheran and can be used to plan your point
seeing. Given below are few points which shouldn't miss
Echo point : offers a panoramic view and allows you to enjoy the
echo's.
King George point : A must visit point in monsoon as it offers a beautiful
view of the waterfall formed by the water overflowing from Charlott Lake. One
can even reach he mouth of the waterfall with care, strong wind prevents the
water from falling down and throws it back.
Charlott Lake : It's the only water source atop Matheran nad it provides
water to entire Matheran.
Louisa Point : It offers a beautiful face on view of the waterfall seen from
the King George point.
Panorama point : Although quiet far from Bazapeth it gives you a panoramic
view(that's why it's named as Panorama point) of the Sahyadri ranges
.
One can stand atop these peaks and survey the wild ravishing landscape, and the
reddish brown mountain ranges. The red soil is everywhere. Matheran is a
continuous poem of shady, thickly wooded paths of red mud and velvet moss,
stretching endlessly.
Getting there :
By Air : Nearest airport is the Mumbai at 100-km.
By Train : Nearest railway station is Neral at 21-km.
By Road : State Transport buses regularly ply from Mumbai and Pune to
Matheran.
General Information :
Best time to visit : The best time to visit this place is between the
months of November to June but the place is worth visiting any time of the year.
During the monsoon the trails become very dirty and the place virtually shuts
down.
Population : 5,500
Languages : Marathi, Hindi and English.
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