This time it was bit planned as compared to last year trip to Matheran...
After last year's experience...had decided that i would come back to Matheran for sure....
And as feb was in its 3rd week...decided that its now or a wait till later half of the year....
It had been quiet some time i had travelled...and the urge was getting stinger..
So finally the wait got over as i and my flatmate Thyaga set off to meet nature..
we took an AP Tourism bus from Huda Complex for Pune.....and were hoping to catch in worst case mumbai express departing pune at 9 am next morning...
But it was indeed worse than the worst case..as we reached pune by 9:30 am....and inspite of rushing to catch mumbai exp...we missed it by only a few minutes...
The next Train to Karjat was a passenger train from pune at arnd 10:45 am...hence we waited after having breakfast at Cum Sum @ pune Rlwy Station....as we had no other choice..
We reached Karjat in the afternoon and took a local train to nerul which was about 15 minutes journey from Karjat..
As you reach Nerul Station,you can catch an taxi and reach Matheran check post at Rs.50 per head.
there are taxi and accommodation booking near the station it self...you may also do advance booking..else book on the spot after climbing to the top..
most of the hotels and cottages offered on rent are priced for a package trip...3 days 2 nights etc....hence in case you are travelling only for a single night stay...just bargain..
This time we decided to book upon reaching the top...
we took an taxi to reach the check post....vehicles are not allowed beyond the check post....hence only means of transportation to reach on top is either walk, use the horse or the palki option....
there is a train that runs between matheran and Nerul...but the timing was not right and hence we did not have luck get a train ride..
But yes...we go to experience the climb...courtesy of our Taxi getting punctured before some 100 meters from the check post....
Man...this was an eye opener.....i realised the stamina level was pathetic and perhaps in the negative level...
truly there was a remarkable difference in the stamina level as compared to last year....
we decided to skip the horse and palki and decided to walk instead...not sure how many...but had to have numerous halt...to breathe...to drink water...before getting ready to climb the rest..
as you climb...or walk through the Jungle there are many other things that can interest you...
apart from the scenic...the Birds of the forest are also a key attraction....
To be continued..
Alexander Point
About Matheran:
Matheran was discovered by Hugh Malet in 1850. The British developed Matheran as a popular tourist resort.
At an elevation of around 800m (2,625 ft) above sea level Matheran is a hill station located about 100 km from Mumbai. Matheran literally means jungle on top. All vehicles (Except emergency vehicles) are banned here.
The only modes of transport are on Horseback, by man-pulled rickshaw, or on foot. Every one living in cities needs this sort of change once in a while.
Old British-style architecture has been preserved in Matheran and most structures are now heritage structures.
Matheran has been declared an eco sensitive region by the Union Environment Ministry (GoI).
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