Matheran/Igatpuri/Malshejghat/Panchgani
Matheran
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 truly 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 Matheran are limited to horses and rickshaws (pulled by
humans), however seeing the various 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 season 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 at least 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 available 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
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 and 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 favored 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.
Where to stay
There are many hotels and MTDC Holiday Resort which offers comfortable
accommodation at Matheran.
Languages spoken
Marathi, Hindi, English
Best time to visit: April. May
Igatpuri
Igatpuri is a place in Maharashtra, India. It is located in the Western
Ghats. The station lies between Mumbai and Bhusaval on the Central Railway.
Igatpuri is known for its wada pavs and temples. Trains on this route
usually change locomotives on this stop.
Igatpuri is surrounded by the highest peaks in Sahyaadri i.e. Western
Ghats, most of them are forts built in Satavahana dynasty. It's heavenly
for trekkers and hikers, Most bollywood movie outdoor scenes specially
songs are shot in Igatpuri region. Igatpuri is a place of significance
in terms of Vipassana meditation. The International centre for vipassana
meditation is located here. This region consists of those mountains which
are accessed by trains going from Mumbai CST to Kasara and Igatpuri. Local
trains only go upto Kasara, and don't climb the Thal Ghat from Kasara
to Igatpuri. Hence to go to Igatpuri, one has to either take a long distance
train or reach Kasara and then take a bus.
Malshej Ghat
Malshej Ghat is a tourist spot near the city of Bombay in the state of
Maharashtra, India. The site is nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the
Western Ghats. The best time to visit is between August and September.
At this time of the year, the hills are clothed in a soothing shade of
mint green and the weather is cool due to the monsoons. Known for its
misty tops and ice cold cascades at this time of the year, the site is
a very popular weekend getaway for most of the city's residents at that
time of the year.
The site is home to hundreds of different kinds of flora and fauna especially
the avian population such as quails, rails, crakes, flamingos and cuckoos.
Getting there
Malshej Ghat is situated at a distance of 154 km from Bombay around a
three hour road trip. The nearest railhead is the Central Railway junction
of Kalyan. By road one has to take NH-3 from Bombay to Bhiwandi via Murbad
or state highway via Kalyan, Saralgaon and Vaishakhare. Autorickshaws
from Kalyan also take passengers on a shared basis at around 15 rupees
per head. Alternatively, State Transport buses leave to the destination
at regular intervals.
Activities
For trekkers and hikers, it is a haven of sorts as the solitude of unending
rolling hills provides quite some experience. One can scale the peaks
or explore the intricate jungle paths below. The Shivneri Fort is also
the birthplace of Shivaji — one of the great past rulers of Maharashtra.
Often dense fog covers the peaks of the hills. The site is also devoid
of the mad rush of tourists that normally accompanies most other locations
near the city.
Bird graves
The ghat has the dubious distinction of being a graveyard for small birds
during the onset of the monsoons. Most of the birds nest among the cliffs
of the Western Ghats. In this season, strong gusts of wind, heavy rain
and dense fog often result in the birds getting disoriented. As many of
the birds gravitate to the bright lights of the passing vehicles, the
birds hit the cliff faces often leading to their deaths. However this
phenomenon has decreased in the recent years according to local naturalists.
Accommodation
Since the area is at a considerable distance from a small town, there
are not many posh restaurants and shopping malls. Flamingo Hill is a resort
run by MTDC – Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in the
vicinity. You need to book hotel rooms in advance.
Panchgani
Nestled between five hills, Panchgani is an idyllic mountain retreat in
the Krishna valley. Tucked away in the Satara district of Maharashtra,
Panchgani is a well-known hill station of Maharashtra on the highway to
Mahabaleshwar from Pune. It derives its name from the five hills around
it.
At an altitude of 1,334m, it is just 38m below Mahabaleshwar. These 38m
translate themselves into a breathtaking 18-km approach, offering heart-stopping
views of the River Krishna on one side and the coastal plains on the other.
It is far from the noise of Pune and the endless hustle-bustle and pollution
of Mumbai metropolis. It is the first hill town one reaches from Mahabaleshwar
on the Pune road.
The Walkways
Tourists can enjoy a network of nature walks through the woods, thickly
canopied by lush trees and vegetation. The river Krishna snakes through
tiny hamlets, farms and ravines, hundreds of metres below. Visit Table
Land, a flat mountain peak and feast your eyes on the coastal plains,
looking like miniature watercolours.
Another important place is Tapola, an enjoyable water sports centre.
One can also enjoy eating Strawberries with cream, which are served at
various joints located on the road to Mahabaleshwar - Panchgani and on
the lake.
How to get there
By Air
Nearest airport is Pune at 160-km from Panchgani
By Rail
Pune is the most convenient railway station.
By Road
Panchgani is just 18-km from Mahabaleshwar. Panchgani can be easily approached
by road from Mumbai and Pune. Luxury bus services of MTDC are a regular
feature from Mumbai and Pune.
Places To Stay
Accommodation is available at the hotels and holiday resorts in Mahabaleshwar.
General Information
Location: Located on the highway to Mahabaleshwar from Pune, Maharashtra.
Best Time
Protected from harsh winds by a Table Land on one side and high cliffs
descending into a valley on the other, Panchgani has a pleasant, bracing
climate throughout the year. October to May is the best time to visit.
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