mahabaleshwar vs matheran

Margot

Hi,

I will be visiting a friend in Pune for a couple of days later this month and we want to go on a little road trip. Which place is more beautiful/fun: mahabaleshwar or matheran?

Thanks

Swapnil

If you want visit tourist points on Hill Station by Vehicle then Mahabaleshwar , in Matheran no private vehicles/taxis are allowed .You have to either walk on trail or need to use pony .

Margot

OK I read about that...which place is more beautiful in your opinion?

Swapnil

I'll prefer Matheran over Mahabaleshwar ...trails through thick jungle,clean & unpolluted environment ,many tourist points to see & also joy of Neral - Matheran toy-train .

snonymous

We made four visits to Matheran this year during September and October [and 4 last year too], primarily to enjoy the spectacular mass blooming of Karvy [strobilanthes] which occurs just once every few years, and of course the abundant butterflies and other wildflowers. If you are interested, Ive posted here with a lot of photographs incl. of the train:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...re/9/tpod.html

Our stays are always in the eastern half of Matheran which is non commercial, and we have always had the forests to ourselves, even in peak season.

Be aware that the pathways are rubbly and uncomfortable to walk on unless you have really thick soled footwear, alternately you can hire a horse, but to enjoy nature at its best, walking is much better.

If you want a more tourist oriented visit, it is better to stay in any hotel on the market side of Matheran, there are several according to your budget - check
http://www.hotelsinmatheran.net/ or also check mid-day.com classifieds in the Travel section.

I havent been to Mahabaleshwar for years, but intend to do so. There is a proper road and tourist infrastructure at M'shwar which is also higher at 1400m AMSL, whereas Matheran is approx. 750m.

From Mumbai to Matheran by road it is about 2hrs, by train - local from VT to Neral/Karjat and mini bus thereafter to Dasturi, walk, horseride, hand pulled rickshaw from here to your hotel; or toy train from Neral to market area. From Pune, it may be about 3hrs.

Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar by your own vehicle: 6 to 7 hrs via Expressway/NH4 or Poladpur/Goa Hwy. Buses ply frequently, may be slightly longer. From Pune, it is naturally a lot closer.

TimMakins

Matheran gets my vote 10 times out of 10!! A much nicer place, nicer accommodation, much more peaceful and relaxing.

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shahronakm

snonymous, Thanks for the link to your blog. Nice travelogue of Matheran. After reading our post in October about Karvy @ Matheran I had decided to go there but some how could not go. But your write up has made me live the moment. Thanks.

Ronak.

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snonymous

Thanks Ronak. You can still go next year and the years after, between Sept/Oct., there are vast tracts of karvies yet to bloom especially in the Panorama and Garbut area so you can expect some more blooms, and even the entire Governors Hill & Berry area are ringed with karvy but I estimate they will take another 2-3 years for mass blooming. The butterflies, bees and heavenly fragrance have to be experienced. No camera or words could ever do justice. Between Ganpati and Dussehra is the best time. Sorry for sounding a bit over the top, I still cant get over the experience!

shahronakm

Will def. go there next year on days suggested by you. In March 04 We (with my wife) had stayed in Matheran for 7 days. Actually we had planned a long trip as it was our first trip after our honeymoon but that did not materialize, hence decided to go to Matheran as we were offered free stay & food by one of my relative who owns a resort. Every morning we used to go for horse riding (2 - 3 hrs) & evening were spent walking around. At that time I had been to Garbut Plateau & Panorama Point on horse back, but since it was March the scenery was no where near what it's during & after the monsoons.

Ronak.

Sadanand Kamath

Ronak,
The problem is that I have spare days to take a trip to Kerala and you have free days for Nagarhole NP/Bandhavgadh trips but we have no time to spare even a day for Matheran trip .

My last two trips to Matheran was about 10-12 years back in rainy season when we walked from Neral to Matheran in heavy rains enjoying many waterfalls enroute. I still remember our early morning walk to Chorlette lake in light rain in the company of swirling clouds and mist and one of us got sucked by a leech.

My vote for Matheran.

Sadanand

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shahronakm

SK, you are right since Matheran is so close to Mumbai & it does not require any train reservations we are not that serious about visiting it. As some has rightly pointed out Ghar Ki Murgi Dal barabar. But after reading Snonymous's post / blog I really regret not being there where I could have even gone for a day's trip on a Sunday. Well then Next year we can go together or still better we can have a meet up at Matheran & I am sure Snonymous would be happy to lead the members.

I did find time to go on Silonda trail (With BNHS) this monsoon, too lazy to post report & pics of the same. But will do it in comings days for sure. This Sunday joining BNHS in Nature trail to highest point in SGNP.

Ronak.

snonymous

I dont know about leading, but Im more than happy to share whatever info I have, and yes it would be nice to visit Matheran with like minded souls.

I last went to Silondha in the monsoons, it was lovely, and to Jambul mal [highest pt] in the last years monsoons, it was lovely too, Im sure you will enjoy your trip Ronak. Do make time to post your pics etc.

Coming back to Mahabaleshwar
Hasnt anyone been there recently? I dont remember anything much about it but I would have imagined that being at a higher altitude and surrounded by dense forests[???] it would be a good place to visit. Too far from Mumbai for a weekend visit, unless one is prepared to travel at night - not me.

shahronakm

Snonymous, It was only after our exchange of messages some months back that We (me & wife) showed interest in exploring SGNP. This will be our third trip to SGNP this year all with BNHS. Will surely post some pics by next week.

Reg. Matheran, thanks for your positive response. I am sure many more Imers would like to join, will bring up the topic next year at appropriate time.

Reg. Mahableshwar, I have been to that area for 3 - 4 times, but not in the past 10 years. We used to stay at Panchagani (less crowded) & go for one day trips to Mahableshwar. Tapola Lake is a nice spot ahead of Mahableshwar. I have read in Milind Gunaji's "Off Beat Tracks in Maharashtra" one particular trekking spot after crossing Tapola Lake.

Ronak.

JamesW

I would choose Matheran too. The toy train is great fun, but very slow. If you do want to take the train get there early on weekends, but there won't be many people midweek. Going to the various viewpoints by foot, or by horse, is more laid back than shuttling about in a car. I haven't had much luck with the horses though - they keep trying to throw me off. One succeeded! Other family members seem to do better. As my avatar sugests, I find the yak a superior beast. The views are great, and the lack of motorised transport is a real bonus.

I've been to Mahabelshwar a couple of times. It has great views too, and Table Top is worth a look too. The town itself can be a bit crowded, but there are more shops there than Matheran. You can buy strawberries and mulberries if they're in season.

snonymous

Ronak
Since you are a regular for BNHS outings, ask if someone will take you to the Bhooth Bangla, its a great route and thats where I last saw a leopard - couple of years ago, cobras, peacocks and soooo many pretty butterflies, birds of course! Also the Tulsi lake route nr. Culvert 52 or 54 is known for leopards.

I also have Gunaji's useful book, that's how we learnt of and visited the beautiful Kavdas lake on the Charoti Jawhar route.

You must have been a kid when you last went to M/war. My last trip was 35-40 years ago, I dont even remember it vaguely.


James
You will be a hit with your yak in Matheran! Personally, I dont fancy horse rides in such places except perhaps as a novelty. There is so much you miss in the undergrowth, which you can only enjoy when you walk.

So the general consensus so far is that Matheran is superior to Mahabaleshwar. Im still intrigued by the higher altitude forests though, Im sure the wild flora will be significantly different in those forests than at Matheran.