Matheran is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees, that sprawls languidly at an altitude of 800 m. 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! Or a tough 11 km. hike through thick and shady forests. Matheran’s cliffs with incredibly steep drops to the plains below create stunning viewing points. 

These panoramic vistas, by day and night, leave you feeling light-headed. The Hart Point offers a view of the lights of Mumbai at night! All of Matheran is a series of such quixotically named points that are popular, if isolated, sites for picnics and fireside revelry at night. Charlotte Lake, the Panthers’ Caves and the Paymaster Park are other attractions, especially for children. The old world charm of the British and Parsi homes is an irresistible draw. The main bazaar offers a variety of items such as cane and leather articles, hats, chappals and the sinfully sweet speciality – CHIKKI ! Vehicles of any kind are not permitted in the town, which makes it a very quiet, serene place. 

Situated at an altitude of 800 mt this picturesque hill station is the nearest to Mumbai, lying 104 km away. It is an undulating hilltop cloaked in shady trees and ringed by walking tracks leading to lookouts that drop sheer to the plains. Matheran truely is Maharashtra's one of the most beautiful and well maintained hill station. The availability of road and railway have made it accessible to all people irrespective of their age. Also the ban on motor vehicles inside Matheran have helped to preserve its beauty and keep intact its natural touch. The presence of hotel's and lodging boarding facilities have made it possible to have a multiday stay in Matheran and thoroughly enjoy nature's beauty. Due to ban on motor vehicles in Matheran the modes of transport in Martheran are limited to horses and rickshaws (pulled by humans), however seeing thevarious points in Matheran by walking is equally enjoyable. 

Location : Matheran is situated in the Matheran range of sahyadris at a height of 2516 feet. To reach Matheran one has to first reach Neral. Neral is well connected to Mumbai by rail and road. From Neral Matheran can be reached by a narrow gauge railway or by taxies. Railway function normally in summer and winter sseason but there is only one train to Matheran in winter. 

Places to See : 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 Lake, Matheran Travel Vacations

» 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.

Shopping : Even the bazaar is just that a small marketplace, not a commercial shopping complex. It runs the length of one street, and contains shops and stalls that sell the produce of Matheran. You can see workmen hunching over strips of leather, fashioning the Kolhapuri chappal that Matheran is famous for. Leather bags, leather belts, leather shoes& the workmanship is exclusive and the prices reasonable. There are also glass birds and dried wild flowers for sale that have a quaint appeal. 
One other thing that dominates the market is chikki, a confection made of gram flour, jaggery and cashew nut. You could buy chikki in kilos to carry home; it is a universally popular sweetmeat.

Travel Information : The nearest airport is Bombay (Mumbai), around , 100 kms/65 Mile. Neral 21 kms. away, is where you transfer to the toy train. Mumbai is 108 kms. away by road, via Karjat and Neral. Pune is 120 kms. away. Taxis are available from Neral to Dastoori car park. No vehicles are allowed inside Matheran and ponies are the favoured means of transport. Don’t miss the station, used by the train four times a day. It boasts a tiny steam engine mounted, with great pride, on a pedestal. It served the people of Matheran for 77 chuffing years.