Trek To The Asias Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited

A small eco friendly hill station in Maharashtra, on the outskirts of Mumbai is Matheran, 2,625 feet above the sea level. A hilly town with red mud that will take you to your childhood as you allow yourself to enjoy the outdoors, horses to take you around, monkeys waiting to welcome you and snatch your trek snacks, the lush green jungle and waterfalls. Doesn't take you back to your childhood? Well, never mind, atleast you can still enjoy all the same things even after growing up, not too far off from the City life!

Every time I wanted to visit for a day trip or a weekend getaway, my mom would warn me that I would ruin my shoes thanks to the red mud. But I did not listen, because the best things in life, and in this care pollution and noise free, always come for a little price.

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 1/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — A Happy Me Enjoying the Beautiful Nature

We went in a group of friends for a day trek to Matheran. It was rainy season and everything was different shades of green, with waterfalls gushing out of the mountains and monkeys waiting to loot the visitors.

When we planned to go on the trek, I could not wait to reach here and be away from my corporate stress.

Why Matheran?

1. This is an eco-sensitive hill station declared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. We need to support such places, because it is not only good for our environment but also for us to be surrounded by pristine places. Plus, you don't need to go far away too far away from the City to enjoy the rains!

2. You are far away from the city's hustle bustle, air and noise pollution, yet you aren't too far to get back home in one day.

3. Experience Asia's only eco-friendly hill station that has banned any kind of automobiles entering its boundaries to preserve the place.

4. The fun thing is to walk/hike up or go on horse back. The locals prefer bicycles too, something we city mongers have forgotten completely!

5. They have garbage police, with a fine of Rs.1000 if anyone happens to litter the streets.

How To Reach Matheran?

Train from Mumbai (Dadar Station) to Neral

We took a train from Mumbai and got down in Neral station, and the trains are empty on weekends, so do not worry about getting crushed in the Mumbai crowd. From Neral station we took a cab to the foothills of Matheran (Aman Lodge), and that's when we entered this quite little town away from all the hustle bustle, and mainly the noise and air pollution! If you live in Pune, you can take the Sahyadri Express. You can either take the toy train from Aman Lodge, choose to go on horse back or hike up. If you are planning to stay here and carrying luggage, it's best to opt for the train option.

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 2/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — We were waiting for some hot roasted corn as the vendor was sprinkling some chat masala on it! Oh the fun of having hot roasted corn in the rains!

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 3/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — The rivers and the waterfalls are gushing in the rainy season! Can you spot the river right in the centre of the mountains?

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 4/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — You can walk around the hill station or go on horse back ride. When we reached it was raining heavily, and we had to go horse back riding till we reached the mountains.

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 5/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — Hot chai and the rains is a perfect combination. You will find local chai sellers everywhere in Matheran. Because that's the whole mood!

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 6/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — As we were exploring Matheran once it stopped raining, we found ourselves not surrounded by the crowd but by nature. And that's why it's a perfect getaway for everyone residing in Mumbai.

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 7/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — Be careful of the very innocent looking monkeys in Matheran. Make sure you are not eating as you walk, but they will come and attack you in a big group! Image Credits- Suprem Vanam, https://unsplash.com/s/photos/matheran'

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 8/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — I was eagerly waiting for the rains as the clouds surrounded the area, in a way asking us to get ready.

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 9/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — The lush green mountains as seen from the Louisa Point during the rains.

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 10/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — Gushing waterfalls as it was going to pour down!

Photo of Trek To The Asia's Only Hill Station Where Vehicles Are Prohibited 11/11 by Kadambari Bhatte (curlytravelmess) — This is the toy train that leaves from Neral station to Matheran Station. The train takes you through the scenic Matheran mountains and beautiful waterfalls.

IMPORTANT POINT TO REMEMBER

Make a point to leave the town by 5:30pm at the most, as it gets very dark and can be dangerous on your way down to get a cab back to Neral station or home. We were a little late and we could barely see anything on our path while hiking downwards, plus it started to pour! It takes around 3-4 hours to come all the way down walking in the dark.

Carry all the trek essentials - flash light for the night path, water bottle, snacks and food if you get stuck anywhere, raincoats if you visit during the rains and non-slippery good hiking shoes.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN MATHERAN

1. Louisa Point

2. Rock Climbing

3. Neral-Matheran Toy Train

4. Dodhani Waterfalls

5. Chanderi Caves Trek

6. Kalavantin Pinnacle Trek

7. Porcupine Point for Sunset

HOTEL RECOMMENDATIONS TO STAY OVERNIGHT

You have to remember that Matheran is not a developed place, but it has decent resorts and hotels to enjoy your time admits nature and the heavy rainfall.