Matheran is an eco-friendly hill station that attracts lots of tourists every year. Lies on the base of the Sahayadri Mountains with 38 peak points, Matheran is a perfect getaway from the pandemonium of city life. It is one of the unpolluted hill stations near Mumbai as vehicles are banned from entering here.
Some of the must explored places of Matheran include Vantage Point, Panorama Point, Sunset Point, Heart Point, Louisa Point, Echo Point, Monkey Point, Chattrapati Shivaji’s Fort and The Mall Road. In addition of these The Toy Train in Matheran is another major attraction of this hill station.
Upon arrival at the Mumbai Airport/Railway Station, get transferred to your pre-booked hotel.
Post-check-in at the hotel, get freshen up and then set out to explore Mumbai, famed as the ‘CITY OF DREAMS’. Firstly, you will visit the GATEWAY OF INDIA. Located on the southern part of the city, the Gateway offers a beautiful view of the Arabian Sea. In addition to the view, this magnificent structure was constructed in yellow basalt stone. Furthermore, its Indo-Saracenic style architecture, intricate latticework and 26 meters high archway which is joined with four turrets make this attraction a popular among history buffs, tourists and photographers.
Thereafter, visit the PRINCE OF WALES MUSEUM. The museum which is also known as ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya’ is considered as one of the most prominent museums in India. This museum which displays a myriad of collection of ancient artifacts, artworks and sculptures of the country, offers remarkable glimpses of India’s glory and rich past. Besides, currently, the museum has several new galleries which exhibit the artworks of Hindu God Krishna along with textiles and Indian traditional costumes.
Visit the MARINE DRIVE, also famed as the ‘Queen’s Necklace’, the place caters to the need of all kind of travelers. The 3.6-km long boulevard consists of a C-shaped six-lane concrete road along the coast. A promenade runs parallel to the road. You can enjoy the spectacular views of the beach when it lights up at night. From there, you will be taken to COLABA CAUSEWAY MARKET, a bustling area which is packed with retro-bars, street stalls, markets and many more. This place is popular for crystals, jewellery, handicrafts, brass items, clothing, books, and incense. This is the one place which always seems like a carnival all year round.
Continue your Mumbai tour by visiting GIRGAON CHOWPATTY and HANGING GARDENS, also called as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, the attractive terrace gardens are famous for a massive shoe house built in the center. The garden along with the shoe house and is very popular amongst children. The garden flaunts a few nice modernist touches.
This is followed by a trip to HAJI-ALI-DARGAH. The sacred site is a great tourist attraction and a world-famous pilgrimage for the Muslims. The sculptured and elegant whitewashed structure of the Dargah showcases the brilliant work of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The Dargah attracts about 10-15 thousand people daily.
Then take the blessings of Lord Ganesha at one of Mumbai’s holiest places, SHREE SIDDHIVINAYAK TEMPLE, one of the richest temples in India with the inner roof of its sanctum being plated with gold.
In the evening, visit JUHU BEACH. The beach is famous for its long stretch and a variety of street foods. Later, come back to the hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast, day at leisure to explore Mumbai on your own
You have an option of visiting Elephanta Caves and/or Filmcity
ADD ON OPTINAL TOUR TO ELEPHANTA CAVES OR FILMCITY TOUR
OPTION 1: You could take a ferry ride to Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ferry ride will enable you to take a great view of Mumbai’s coastline and Elephanta caves. At a distance of 17 km from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Elephanta Caves are a network of sculpted caves located on Elephanta Island or Gharapuri in Mumbai Harbour. The Caves, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, is Mumbai’s oldest historic site. The caves are known for beautiful Hindu temples and sculptures.
OPTION 2: Mumbai is home to the second-largest movie industry in the world, Bollywood. Catch a movie shoot; take a tour of Film City’s studios in Goregaon. You will be taken to a live shoot, where you can observe the nuances involved in acting—the take and retakes that the directors calls for, or the beauty with which the actors immediately don the character of the role and deliver mind-blowing performances. However, this would depend on whether any shoot is taking place during the days of your visit.
Early morning after breakfast, drive to Matheran. Matheran is a Hill Station and a municipal council in the Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station in Karjat Tahsil and is also the smallest hill station in India. It is located on the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above sea level.
*You have an OPTION of travelling in a Matheran Hill Railway (MHR). You will be transferred to Neral Railway Station wherein you will get an opportunity to board your Toy Train to Matheran. As Matheran is no-vehicle zone, you will be dropped close to the hill station by the toy train. From there, you will be transferred to forested hill top of Matheran by horse carriage. The Matheran train travel through the Western Ghats and it takes around two hours to reach Matheran from Neral through mountains.
Matheran is Asia’s only AUTOMOBILE-FREE hill station. Automobiles are not allowed to go beyond the DASTURI NAKA (2.5 KM from Matheran Town) where all two-wheelers and four-wheelers have to be parked. From Dasturi you must take a 40 minute horseback or man-pulled rickshaw ride to Matheran along a mud track. (On direct payment basis)
On arrival check-in at hotel and relax, later explore the natural beauty of Matheran on your own covering Vantage Points – Matheran’s hills offer some of the most stunning views of the landscape. The PANORAMA POINT is located 6 kms from the market and is believed to be the longest point in Matheran and is a popular spot for picnics.
It is from here that the mountain ranges of Khandala and Bhimashankar are visible. The HEART POINT offers a view of Mumbai at night. THE ECHO POINT derives its name from the acoustic echo it provides. LOUISA POINT is another popular point in Matheran with its beautiful waterfalls. MONKEY POINT owes its name to the profusion of monkeys that are constantly up to their antics. SUNSET POINT offers views of PRABALGAD, one of the forts of Chattrapati Shivaji’s Fort.
Apart from this, you can also visit CHANDERI CAVES, IRSHALGAD FORT, and AMBARNATH TEMPLE.
THE MALL ROAD – The main focus of Matheran’s activities is the Mall Road that stretches from one end to the other. It has hotels, restaurants and bazaars lining on both sides. The main market in this area offers several items for purchase including leather and cane articles and food stuff. You can also hire ponies for your sightseeing from this point.
LAKES – Located about 2 kms from the Post Office, CHARLOTTE LAKE offers some of the most amazing scenery. It is flanked by the PISARNATH TEMPLE on the left, and the Echo Point and Louisa Point on the right. This lake is also the source of the city’s drinking water. Evening transfer to hotel; overnight stay at hotel
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and arrive at the parking aria on your own and transfer to Mumbai airport/railway station for your onward journey.
