Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
?500. Malvan has buses daily to Panaji (?79, three hours) and a couple of services to Rat-
nagiri (?147, five hours).
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Matheran
02148 / POP 5287 / ELEV 803M
Literally 'Jungle Above', Matheran is a tiny patch of peace and quiet capping a craggy
Sahyadri summit within spitting distance of Mumbai's heat and grime. Endowed with
shady forests criss-crossed with foot trails and breathtaking lookouts, it is easily the most
elegant of Maharashtra's hill stations.
The credit for discovering this little gem goes to Hugh Malet, erstwhile collector of
Thane district, who chanced upon it during one of his excursions in 1850. Soon it became
a hill station patronised by the British and populated by Parsi families.
Getting to Matheran is really half the fun. While speedier options are available by road,
nothing beats arriving in town on the narrow-gauge toy train that chugs laboriously along
a 21km scenic route to the heart of the settlement. Motor vehicles are banned within
Matheran, making it an ideal place to give your ears and lungs a rest and your feet some
exercise.
Sights & Activities
You can walk along shady forest paths to most of Matheran's viewpoints in a matter of
hours, and it's a place well suited to stress-free ambling. To catch the sunrise, head to
Pan-
orama Point
, while
Porcupine Point
(also known as Sunset Point) is the most popular (read:
packed) as the sun drops.
Louisa Point
and
Little Chouk Point
also have stunning views of the
Sahyadris, and if you're visiting
Echo Point
, give it a yell. Stop at
Charlotte Lake
on the way
back from Echo Point, but don't go for a swim - this is the town's main water supply and
stepping in is prohibited. You can reach the valley below One Tree Hill down the path
known as
Shivaji's Ladder
, supposedly trod upon by the Maratha leader himself.
A couple of
ropeways
(?250)
have sprung up for those that find the peaceful setting, well,
too peaceful. The best of these takes you out between Honeymoon Point and Louisa Point.
There's a shorter one at Myra Point that seems to be anchored by a rather wimpy looking
tree.
