Matheran is one of Maharashtra's most popular hill stations, famous for its valleys, viewpoints and the fact that it doesn't allow any vehicles after a certain point. As beautiful as it looks in Reels and videos, it's not always easy to have a good time when you're there because of busy places, the need to walk around and sometimes even the lack of transport.
Here are some tips for exploring this beautiful place, along with what I experienced during my time there.
A Vehicle-Free Hill Station
As mentioned earlier, Matheran is a haven for those who love the outdoors, and the serenity it provides is unparalleled. But to reach there, you might have to do a lot of walking because vehicles aren't allowed inside the hill station after Dasturi Naka.
You'll have to leave your vehicle at Dasturi Naka, and you can either walk up to the hill station or take a horse ride. There's also a local transport system, but you may have to spare some time if the toy train is crowded.
One of the main attractions at Matheran is the toy train that runs between Aman Lodge and Matheran town. The best part about the toy train is that you can also book a return ticket from the station, but if you're not booking in advance, you might find that tickets are already sold out, or you might have to walk all the way up the mountain.
Horse Rides: Convenient but Expensive
While horse riding is a fun-filled activity in itself, the price you'll have to pay at Matheran can be quite steep. It also depends on how many points you want to cover. If you're on a tight budget, horse riding could be one of the most expensive things you do there.
So, don't be caught off guard like I was; enquire about the full cost before you pay any amount.
The Beauty Begins Once You Reach the Town
Once you reach the town, the hustle and bustle of the city fades away and is replaced by nature. There are various viewpoints to choose from, but what I loved the most about Matheran was the forest. The trails are a delight to walk on, and you might even be lucky enough to see some birds. I found that walking on the trails was far more enjoyable than simply walking from one viewpoint to another.
The monsoons bring out the beauty of the town, with most of the landscape covered in mist and greenery, but the rain can also play spoilsport. So, keep a raincoat or an umbrella handy.
Viewpoints Worth Exploring
There are plenty of viewpoints worth visiting, but you don't have to visit all of them. Echo Point, Lord Point, King George Point and some other viewpoints are among the most popular ones and offer great views of the valley below. The views are absolutely breathtaking on a clear day, with the greenery of the valley contrasting against the sky.
Echo Point is crowded with tourists most of the time, but some viewpoints are a little less popular, providing you with a more serene experience.
One of the things that I loved the most about the viewpoints was the trail leading to them. I found walking through the thick forest to be an experience in itself, although it did get a little spooky at times. You'll rarely find anyone else on these trails, which makes it all the more special.
Not Everything Is Perfect
Although the beauty of Matheran is undeniable, there are quite a few things that need improvement for the town to be more visitor-friendly. During my trip, I found a fair number of public toilets to be shut due to water scarcity. There was also littering, which was surprising since most of the viewpoints are picture-perfect.
I also saw people taking selfies and pictures while sitting on the edge of the viewpoints. A beautiful picture is one thing, but your life isn't worth a click.
Is Matheran Worth Visiting?
Matheran isn't an easy place to visit, if you ask me. There are too many variables that can affect your trip - transport, crowds and the lack of certain facilities. But once you learn to deal with these variables, Matheran has a lot to offer. Serene and pretty, it is a great place to get away from the chaos of the city.
If you're visiting, make sure to check transport and toy train availability in advance, book a horse ride before you head to the hill station, carry water and raincoats with you, and have realistic expectations. Matheran might not be perfect, but the beauty it holds is undeniable.