Matheran India Travel Guide

Matheran is a quaint hill station amidst the Kambhol forest, hovering at a height of more than eight-hundred meters in the state of Maharashtra. The name Matheran means “forest crested”. The hill station was founded in the year 1850 by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then collector of the district of Thane. However the hill station flourished under the benefaction of Lord Elphinstone, who was the Governor of Bombay in 1855. He made the place more accessible to the people by making broader roads and by cutting up a mountain for railways. Apart from being the smallest hill station in the world, it also has taken drastic measures to balance its ecosystem by banning vehicles inside the city.

Matheran Things To Do and Attractions

Matheran is filled with breath taking spots for tourists. Since there are no vehicles allowed, the air is fresh and rejunevating. Tourists succumb to its beauty at once. You can travel inside only by riding a pony or by walking. Louisa Point, one of the popular Matheran attractions is a place with beautiful waterfalls. Echo Point, another popular Matheran thing to do, boasts superb scenery and a perfect acoustic echo. Other points like King George’s Point and Panorama Point offer exquisite views of the Sahyadri ranges. About a hundred kilometers from Matheran is the happening cosmopolitan city of Mumbai. Interestingly enough, people from Mumbai and Pune come to this hill station as a getaway from their hectic lives.Matheran is also a good place to shop for quality leather apparels at reasonable prices.

Matheran Getting There and Around

The whole journey to this place is very magical. The nearest airport is in Mumbai, and railways from Mumbai and Pune link up to Neral, a small town near Matheran. Do try the twenty-one kilometer toy train journey from Neral to Matheran if you have the time. Cabs to Matheran are also available if you miss the toy train.

Matheran Latest Traveler Activity


dirty a review for Byke Retreat Hotel
The room was covered in mold, you couldn't use the veranda due to monkeys, the tennis court was not operable, the disco was closed, the fountains were empty and covered in mold. The Byke has seen better days, to say the least. DO NOt believe the pictures on line. Matheran, though, was amazing.
A third grade place to go!! a review for Brightlands Resort Hotel
Its not at all a luxury resort! Very deceiving website!! Nothing is functional there! Jacuzzi, sauna, etc are all rusted!! Dining place is so awfull that one does not want to eat there! Rooms: doors are made of plywood. One kick can break it off. Very old broken furniture in rooms. No remotes for the TV, no refrigerators!! Worst ever behaved staff! Very lethargic and unprofesional!!!! Waste of time and money!!
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