Trekking to Matheran, Hill Station near Mumbai
We got to Panvel at around 7:30 in the morning. It was a small group of five guys. The next bus was due after an hour and a half, so we took a trekar (the larger version of an auto-rickshaw) to Dudani. It is a small village from where the trekking starts. It is a 2-3 hour trek given that you know the route. We didn’t.
So it was more of an exploration. We initially took direction from the local people but soon we had to decide a few turns on our own. We were quite happy to go along a path which looked like been used by humans in the recent past. But it was a shock when we were near the top and got stuck in a jungle. A dead-end. No other route emerged from there. So we had to climb down half the mountain. With a bit more of exploration and a lucky encounter with a local person, we crossed a dried stream and reached the main track. Well, it was a treat! I fall short of words to express how good it felt at that moment.
This part of the journey was even tougher. May be because of the steeper path or because we had already climbed up another mountain and was drained out. We used to go for 10-15 minutes at a stretch and then take rest for 5 minutes. The route at most places weren’t very dangerous. But at certain points you have to be very careful as you walk on a foot-wide strip of earth with the abyss running down hundreds of feet so close to you.
We reached Matheran four hours after we started. The point we reached was the ‘Sunset Point’. It was another half an hour walk to the central market of Matheran. We had a decent lunch and took rest in a nearby park. We also paid quick visits to some other points of Matheran. It is a nice hill station with gorgeous natural views. As no vehicles are allowed, there is little pollution. However the red soil is a problem as it gets all over your shoes and trousers.
We walked down to where taxis were available, got to Neral and reached Vashi by local trains. The journey was exhausting but the excitement and the beauty was far more rewarding than the toil.
On our way to Dudani
Dudani from a little height
Beware! Wrong Route!!
Lost in the Jungle
Finally on the right track
On our way to the top
Sunset Point (The trek ended here at 1:30pm)
Khandala Point
Echo Point
The Lake in Matheran
So it was more of an exploration. We initially took direction from the local people but soon we had to decide a few turns on our own. We were quite happy to go along a path which looked like been used by humans in the recent past. But it was a shock when we were near the top and got stuck in a jungle. A dead-end. No other route emerged from there. So we had to climb down half the mountain. With a bit more of exploration and a lucky encounter with a local person, we crossed a dried stream and reached the main track. Well, it was a treat! I fall short of words to express how good it felt at that moment.
This part of the journey was even tougher. May be because of the steeper path or because we had already climbed up another mountain and was drained out. We used to go for 10-15 minutes at a stretch and then take rest for 5 minutes. The route at most places weren’t very dangerous. But at certain points you have to be very careful as you walk on a foot-wide strip of earth with the abyss running down hundreds of feet so close to you.
We reached Matheran four hours after we started. The point we reached was the ‘Sunset Point’. It was another half an hour walk to the central market of Matheran. We had a decent lunch and took rest in a nearby park. We also paid quick visits to some other points of Matheran. It is a nice hill station with gorgeous natural views. As no vehicles are allowed, there is little pollution. However the red soil is a problem as it gets all over your shoes and trousers.
We walked down to where taxis were available, got to Neral and reached Vashi by local trains. The journey was exhausting but the excitement and the beauty was far more rewarding than the toil.
posted by kb at 7:36 PM
6 Comments:
Matheran is an AWESOMO place, i've been there once. trekking would have been awesome.
ut travelogue blog is a real good read. keep travelling and reporting.
Very nice pics and description.
There is a place called Harishchandra Garh, a few miles from Kalyan. If you've a chance please go there. Its a long trek but worth every bit of it. We went there 7/8 years ago.
toke tag korechhi. blog ta dekhish.
Sorry, for being late
@psycho : I actually do not travel a lot, in case I do, I will definitely write about it
@Kele Panchu : I will enquire about Harishchandra Garh
@DD : Will check it out
hey friend eme planning to go this sunday hope so ill enjoy as u did rite
Thnx for sharing ur experiences as it provided quite a lot of stuff of info reqd for a new person to go & explore dere.
I wud soon visit dis place....
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