Matheran itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Matheran

1. 01

   Day 1: Toy train up, the near points on foot

   Take the earliest toy train from Neral if the Neral-Matheran service is running, or drive to Dasturi Naka and take the Aman Lodge shuttle or a short rickshaw ride. After the entry formalities, walk to Echo Point and Charlotte Lake by the flatter lanes, then lunch near the market and rest in the afternoon. Walk to Porcupine Point for the sunset light over the valley and fort-topped ridges, and head back down before dark if you are catching the evening train or taxi.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Echo Point	About 45 minutes to 1 hour including the walk	Moderate	Morning or late afternoon, and after the monsoon for greenery
   Charlotte Lake	About 45 minutes to 1 hour	Easy	October to February, and during the green season when the lake overflows
   Porcupine Point (Sunset Point)	1 to 1.5 hours including the walk	Moderate	Late afternoon for sunset; after the monsoon for clear skies

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Echo Point: The path is a short walk on earthen lanes and small steps near the viewing area. Older travellers may prefer to take a horse or rickshaw part of the way, and should avoid the unfenced edge where the ground is loose.

   With parents at Porcupine Point (Sunset Point): The walk is about two kilometres on lanes with uneven earth and some steps, and the light fades quickly at sunset. Consider a horse out and back, and avoid the unfenced edge in low light.

Plan 02

2 days in Matheran

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrival and the town side

   Arrive by mid-morning, settle into your hotel and walk a loop of Paymaster Park and Charlotte Lake with a break at the Pisarnath Mahadev temple beside the water. Browse the market for chikki and chappals in the afternoon, then go to Porcupine Point for sunset.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Paymaster Park	30 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon; the green season for flowers
   Charlotte Lake	About 45 minutes to 1 hour	Easy	October to February, and during the green season when the lake overflows
   Pisarnath Mahadev Temple	15 to 30 minutes	Easy	Morning or early evening; Mondays and the Mahashivratri period can be busier
   Porcupine Point (Sunset Point)	1 to 1.5 hours including the walk	Moderate	Late afternoon for sunset; after the monsoon for clear skies

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Porcupine Point (Sunset Point): The walk is about two kilometres on lanes with uneven earth and some steps, and the light fades quickly at sunset. Consider a horse out and back, and avoid the unfenced edge in low light.

2. 02

   Day 2: Louisa and Echo points, then depart

   After breakfast, walk or ride to Louisa Point, then Echo Point on the way back. Keep the longer Panorama Point and One Tree Hill walks for a third day, and allow time to reach Dasturi or the station comfortably for the return train or taxi.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Echo Point	About 45 minutes to 1 hour including the walk	Moderate	Morning or late afternoon, and after the monsoon for greenery
   Louisa Point	1 to 1.5 hours including the walk	Moderate	Morning, October to February, or green season for lush hills
   Panorama Point	2 to 3 hours round trip including the walk	Demanding	Early morning on a dry-season day; October to February

   Pace: Panorama Point involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Echo Point: The path is a short walk on earthen lanes and small steps near the viewing area. Older travellers may prefer to take a horse or rickshaw part of the way, and should avoid the unfenced edge where the ground is loose.

   With parents at Louisa Point: The route is uneven in places and can be steep near the viewing area. Older travellers might ride a horse part of the way, and everyone should wear grip shoes and keep clear of unfenced edges.

Plan 03

3 days in Matheran

1. 01

   Day 1: Slow arrival

   Come up by toy train in season, settle in and keep the first afternoon to Paymaster Park, Charlotte Lake and the Pisarnath temple. Finish at Porcupine Point at sunset.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Paymaster Park	30 to 60 minutes	Easy	Morning or late afternoon; the green season for flowers
   Charlotte Lake	About 45 minutes to 1 hour	Easy	October to February, and during the green season when the lake overflows
   Porcupine Point (Sunset Point)	1 to 1.5 hours including the walk	Moderate	Late afternoon for sunset; after the monsoon for clear skies

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Porcupine Point (Sunset Point): The walk is about two kilometres on lanes with uneven earth and some steps, and the light fades quickly at sunset. Consider a horse out and back, and avoid the unfenced edge in low light.

2. 02

   Day 2: Louisa, Echo and the market

   Walk to Louisa Point in the morning when the air is clearest, return via Echo Point, and rest through midday. Use the afternoon for the market and a quiet verandah tea at one of the old hotels.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Louisa Point	1 to 1.5 hours including the walk	Moderate	Morning, October to February, or green season for lush hills
   Echo Point	About 45 minutes to 1 hour including the walk	Moderate	Morning or late afternoon, and after the monsoon for greenery

   Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.

   With parents at Louisa Point: The route is uneven in places and can be steep near the viewing area. Older travellers might ride a horse part of the way, and everyone should wear grip shoes and keep clear of unfenced edges.

   With parents at Echo Point: The path is a short walk on earthen lanes and small steps near the viewing area. Older travellers may prefer to take a horse or rickshaw part of the way, and should avoid the unfenced edge where the ground is loose.

3. 03

   Day 3: The outer points

   Set out early on foot or by horse for Panorama Point and One Tree Hill, carrying water and a hat. Keep the return walk for the cooler late morning, then leave in the afternoon.

   Stop	Time needed	Walking	Best time
   Panorama Point	2 to 3 hours round trip including the walk	Demanding	Early morning on a dry-season day; October to February

   Pace: Panorama Point involves a lot of walking or steps — do it early, and keep the rest of the day light.

   With parents at Panorama Point: This is a long walk on uneven earth with some climbs and little shelter or seating. Older travellers or anyone with knee or heart concerns should go by horse, carry water, and start early.

Read before you go

Guides for the stops on these routes

Pacing

Pacing a Matheran trip for parents and children

• Arrive early in the day and take the Aman Lodge shuttle or an e-rickshaw rather than walking from Dasturi Naka with luggage; confirm the shuttle timings on the day.
• Choose the flatter points first: Charlotte Lake, Paymaster Park and Echo Point are short, while Panorama Point and One Tree Hill are long walks.
• Horses are the traditional mobility aid, but a rickshaw pulled by hand is gentler on the back. Agree the price before you set off, and ask for a quiet horse.
• Wear shoes with grip: the red laterite lanes are dusty when dry and slick after rain, and viewpoint edges are often unfenced.
• Keep bags zipped and food out of sight; monkeys are numerous and quick, and a stick is not a safe response.
• Ask your hotel about steps, porterage and hot water before booking, since many buildings are old and have no lifts.

Matheran with elderly parents: the full guide →