Matheran is a hill station near Pune in Maharashtra, India. Matheran was once called “The Queen of Hill Stations” by Mark Twain. The scenic retreat offers visitors a break from the monotonous pace of life and an opportunity to experience serenity and rejuvenation.
Matheran is the most preferred small hill station in India. It’s a preferred location for honeymooners looking to enjoy their romantic moments and who do not want to spend too much time traveling from one place to another in the hill station. It’s an extraordinary hill station that offers all the best scenic views and points within 2 km radium.
Matheran is in the Western Ghats and is around 800 meters from sea level. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year and is untouched by the hustle and bustle of a tourist location. You will not find vehicles here. Only horse and carts will take you across the hill station and make your stay memorable. Its also called an eco-friendly holiday destination.
Since there is no bus, cabs, etc., there is no honking and engine noise. This gives you a mesmerizing experience that is out of the world, and you will feel you have gone back 100 years in time.
The sunrise and sunset from Matheran are something you will experience just in this Hill station due to the elevation and scenic placement of this hill station. The place becomes more live and beautiful during monsoon.
Matheran is also famous for trekkers who enjoy mountain climbing. It is also a heaven for those who love nature and photography. You can cover the whole hill station on foot in one day—other activities like camping, rappelling, etc.
Matheran is a small hill station and the best option for those who would get emersed in nature and those who want to take the weekend off from the city’s busy life.
Matheran is very close to Mumbai, Thane, and Pune; hence most tourists prefer spending their weekends here. Visit once, and you will come back again and again.
About Matheran Train
The Matheran Railway is a 2 feet narrow-gauge heritage railway close to Mumbai. It covers a distance of 21 km cutting through the forest and connecting Neral to Matheran in the Western Ghats.
Toy train in Matheran is the best way to travel up the hill and enjoy the beauty of nature in the hill station.
Stations :
- Neral
- Jumapatti
- Water Pipe: Used for filling steam locomotives
- Aman Lodge: Named after a nearby lodge
- Matheran
Neral to Matheran train timings is mentioned below.
Neral to Matheran train timings
07:30 8:50 10.:15 11:35 17:05
09:30 11:10 12:10 13:35 19:00
Matheran to Neral train timings
07:00 09:45 13:40 14:45 16:25
08:40 11:25 15:20 16:25 18:10
TICKET FARE FROM MATHERAN TO NERAL
- First Class: Rs.300 for Adults and Rs.180 for Children
- Second Class: Rs.75 for Adults and Rs.45 for Children
TICKET FARE FROM MATHERAN TO AMAN LODGE
- First Class: Rs.300 for Adults and Rs.180 for Children
- Second Class: Rs.45 for Adults and Rs.30 for Children
Here are 23 Places to visit in Matheran
1. Charlotte Lake:
A) Brief about the place.
The place is named after Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III of the United Kingdom.
B) What is unique about the place
A beautiful lake made of fresh water and is surrounded by mountains.
C) Best time to visit
The lake is a popular spot for vacationers throughout the year. Its beauty does not diminish even during the off-season.
D) Things to do here
The water body is an excellent location for nature photography.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
2. Louisa Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after Queen Louisa, wife of William IV of the United Kingdom.
B) What is unique about the place?
The point has a scenic view from one side to the other.
C) Best time to visit
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
The point has many scenic views, significantly when the sun rises over Victoria Peak at a particular time.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
3. Monkey Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The place is named after Pancho, the pet monkey of Maharaja Malharrao Holkar, who had a house in this area.
B) What is unique about the place?
A scenic point and a prime destination for nature lovers, the point has a view of the lake and surrounding peaks. You will also find a lot of Monkeys here.
C) Best time to visit:
Monkey Point can be visited anytime in any season.
D) Things to do here:
Monkey Point can be visited anytime in any season.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
4. Shivaji’s Ladder:
A)Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire.
B) What is unique about the place?
A prime destination for nature lovers and photographers, the point has a view of the lake and surrounding peaks.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular vacation spot during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
The point has many scenic views, significantly when the sun rises over Victoria Peak at a particular time.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
5. Panorama Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point has a view of the lake, other points, and surrounding mountains and is named after the panoramic view of Matheran visible from here.
B) What is unique about the place?
A prime destination for nature lovers, the point has a view of the lake and surrounding peaks.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The Panorama Point is best visited from February till May.
D) Things to do here:
Places nearby can be visited for picnics, and the lake is also an excellent location for nature photography.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
6. One Tree Hill Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after a lone banyan tree seen here and derived the name ‘One tree hill Point.’
B) What is unique about the place?
A popular tourist destination on the road leading to One Tree Hill Point, the place has a view of the lake, other points, and surrounding mountains.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular vacation spot during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
The point has many scenic views, significantly when the sun rises over Victoria Peak at a particular time.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
7. Echo Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after the echoes, which can be heard at a particular time in the evening and night.
B) What is unique about the place?
A popular tourist destination located on the road leading to Echo Point, the place has a view of the lake and surrounding peaks.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
Places nearby can be visited for picnics, and the lake is also an excellent location for nature photography.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
8. Porcupine Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after a large number of porcupines, which can be seen here.
B) What is unique about the place?
The lake can also be seen from here.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
The point has many scenic views, significantly when the sun rises over Victoria Peak at a particular time.
9. Alexander Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after a resident named Alexander, who used to be the caretaker of this point.
B) What is unique about the place?
A popular tourist destination located on the road leading to Alexander Point, the place has a view of the lake, other points, and surrounding mountains.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular vacation spot during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
You can also take pictures of this beautiful place with your digital camera.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
No Entry fee or timing is applicable.
10. Honeymoon Hill Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point is located on the Western side of Matheran Hill and is named after the honeymoon couples who visit here.
B) What is unique about the place?
A popular tourist destination on the road leading to Honeymoon Hill Point, the place has a view of the lake, other points, and surrounding mountains. Matheran is a small hill station and is preferred by most honeymooners, mainly due to its proximity to Mumbai and Pune.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
You can take pictures of the place with your digital camera and have a picnic if you want to enjoy this place.
11. Irshalgad Fort:
A) Brief about the place.
This fort is located in Ghatshila and is now in ruins.
B) What is unique about the fort?
This is a fort which the royal family of the CKP community ruled and was constructed as a palace to stay.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
The Irshalgad Fort has exciting sites to see where the ruins of the palace buildings and temples are seen. You can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
E) Is there any timing or entry fee?
The entry fee is Rs. 300 (approx), and you can do this from the parking area.
12. Rambagh Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The name of the point is after Kandu Rambagh, a famous saint, and builder of Rambagh Garden, who was born in this area.
B) What is unique about the place?
A popular tourist destination on the road leading to Rambagh Point, the place has a view of the lake, other points, and surrounding mountains. The lake can also be seen from here.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
You can also take pictures of this beautiful place with your digital camera.
13. Morbe Dam:
A) Brief about the place.
The Dam is located on Matheran Hill, forming a Morbe Lake lake.
B) What is unique about the place?
Morbe Dam has an attractive lake, waterfall, and Lord Shiva Temple, one of Matheran’s most important tourist attractions. The view from the Dam adds to its beauty overall.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer, winter, and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At the Dam, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
14. Prabal Fort:
A) Brief about the place.
The fort is located in Ghatshila and is now in ruins.
B) What is unique about the fort?
This is a fort which the royal family of the CKP community ruled and was constructed as a palace to stay.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
At the fort, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
15. Lord Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after Nandi, a famous that served Lord Shiva as his vehicle.
B) What is unique about the place?
Lord Point has a beautiful lake and surrounding hills with a beautiful view of Rambagh Point and other points.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
16. Khandala Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after Nandi, a famous that served Lord Shiva as his vehicle.
B) What is unique about the place?
Khandala Point has an attractive lake and surrounding hills with a beautiful view of Rambagh Point and other points.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer, winter, and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
17. Little Chowk Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The place is located at the foot of Matheran Hill. Its name is after a small village at the foot of the mountain, Kholi Little Chowk, a 100-year-old village not far from Matheran.
B) What is unique about the place?
This place has an attractive lake and surrounding hills with a beautiful view of other points. The Little Chowk bazaar is located here.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
18. Madhav Ji Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The place is on Matheran Hill and has a beautiful lake and surrounding hills. The Madhav Ji Temple is located here. The point also views other points like Rambagh Point, Lord Point, and Khandala Point.
B) What is unique about the place?
Madhav Ji Temple holds an important position in Lord Krishna’s life story. The story of this temple is similar to the Ramayana and Mahabharata stories.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer, winter, and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
19. King George Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after King George V, the king of England when Matheran was a British hill station.
B) What is unique about the place?
The view from here is breathtaking and has a view of other points like Khandala Point, Rambagh Point, and Little Chowk Point. The point is located on the way to Machkund.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer, winter, and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
20. Dhodani Waterfalls:
A) Brief about the place:
The waterfall is located at a distance of around 25 km from Matheran. Water falls down here once every six months.
B) What is unique about the waterfall?
The waterfall is surrounded by dense forests and greenery and also has a lake located near it.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer, winter, and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
21. Hart Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The point’s name is after Nandi, a famous bull that served Lord Shiva as his vehicle.
B) What is unique about the place?
The Hart bazaar is located here. The point also views other points like Madhav Ji Point, Rambagh Point, and Little Chowk Point.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
22. Malet Waters Spring:
A) Brief about the place:
The area is named after Queen Malet, who stayed at this place in the 1730s.
B) What is unique about the spring?
This lake, surrounded by dense forests and greenery, is located 5 km from Matheran Hill. Malet water spring is an essential source of water for the town.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
23. Belvedere Point:
A) Brief about the place.
The view from here is breathtaking and has a view of other points like Hart Point, Lord Point, and Khandala Point. The point is located on the way to Machkund.
B) What is unique about the place?
The spot’s name is after Belvedere House, which British people used as a rest house during their stay in Matheran.
C) Best time to visit:
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer and monsoon.
D) Things to do here:
At this point, you can take pictures with your digital camera of this beautiful place.
Conclusion
Matheran is a popular tourist destination during all seasons. The best time for sightseeing would be summer and monsoon. During Mansoon, you will enjoy the fog and can witness the cloud, which is just an arm’s length away and sometimes beneath you in the valley.
