- Starting from
- Pune
- Duration
- 2 Days / 1 Night
- Distance
- about 350-400 km in total, including local drives (approx.)
- Mode
- Private AC cab with driver
- Package rate
- Call for best fare
About This Tour Package
Few weekend plans offer as much contrast as a Lonavala Matheran tour package from Pune. Lonavala is lively, easy and full of roadside stalls, while Matheran is hushed, red-earthed and entirely free of cars. Together they make an ideal two-day break for friends, couples and families who want views without a long flight or train ride.
Cab Service Pune plans this itinerary from Viman Nagar with a clean AC vehicle and an experienced driver. The most important thing to understand is how Matheran works, so this page explains the practical side clearly before you book.
How the Trip Fits Together
Pune to Lonavala is roughly 65 km and takes about 1.5-2 hours. From Lonavala you continue via Khopoli and Karjat to Neral, which is the base for Matheran, a further drive of around 70 km. Because the second leg is long, most travellers see Lonavala on the first morning, drive to Neral in the afternoon and spend the next day in Matheran.
You can also reverse the order and see Matheran first, but reaching Neral early in the morning is a challenge from Pune, so the Lonavala-first version is more comfortable.
Understanding Matheran's No-Vehicle Rule
Matheran is a vehicle-free hill station. Cars cannot enter the town. Your driver takes you up to Dasturi Naka, the vehicle limit, and parks there. From there you reach the main market area on foot, which is a walk of a few kilometres, or by horse or hand-pulled rickshaw. Porters carry luggage.
The narrow-gauge toy train that runs between Neral and Matheran is another option. Its timings and operating status can change, so check the latest schedule if the train ride is important to you. Carry only light bags, because everything beyond the parking area must be carried.
Day 1: Lonavala Highlights
Start early from Pune and head for Lonavala. Karla and Bhaja Caves are ancient Buddhist rock-cut sites close to the town, and they pair well with a stop at Tiger's Point or Lion's Point for valley views. Bhushi Dam is a monsoon crowd-puller where safety rules at water spots must be followed.
Around midday, enjoy a simple lunch and a taste of Lonavala chikki before moving on. By evening you reach Neral or Dasturi Naka and settle into your Matheran stay.
Day 2: Exploring Matheran
Matheran has more than twenty lookout points, and most are reachable along flat red trails shaded by trees. Echo Point, Louisa Point, Panorama Point and One Tree Hill are well known, while Charlotte Lake is a quiet spot for a short rest. Monkeys are common, so keep food hidden and never feed them.
Take your time. A relaxed day of walking, tea breaks and view-sitting is how Matheran is meant to be enjoyed. Return to Dasturi Naka by afternoon so you can start the drive back to Pune without being late.
Choosing How to Reach the Town
Walking from Dasturi Naka is free of charge and suits fit travellers, but the stretch is long with a bag in hand. Horses suit adults who are comfortable riding, and hand-rickshaws are often chosen by seniors. Rates at the stand are local and agreed on the spot, so ask for the price first and avoid pushing for extra stops.
If anyone in your group has knee problems or limited mobility, tell us when booking. We can plan more rest time, recommend a hotel closer to the entrance, or suggest skipping the longest viewpoints.
Best Time for Lonavala and Matheran
The monsoon turns both places a deep green, with waterfalls and mist, although the red clay trails get slippery and some viewpoints can be hidden by cloud. Winter, from November to February, offers clear views and comfortable walking. Summer is warm in Lonavala but pleasant on the Matheran shade. Always check current conditions, because Matheran sometimes restricts access in very heavy rain.
Vehicle Options and Comfort
For two or three guests, a Swift Dzire is enough. A family of five or six with bags is more comfortable in an Ertiga or Innova Crysta. For groups of ten or more, a Tempo Traveller or Force Urbania lets everyone travel together. The vehicle waits at Dasturi Naka while you are in Matheran, so you do not need to arrange anything separately.
What to Carry
- Sturdy walking shoes with grip
- A light rain jacket or umbrella
- Water, a cap and sunscreen
- Photo ID for hotel check-in
- A small backpack instead of large suitcases
- Cash for porters, horses and small stalls
Mobile networks can be uneven in Matheran, so save your hotel details offline.
A Few Matheran Etiquette Points
Matheran is protected and quiet, so people value its calm. Do not litter, and carry your plastic out of the town. Loud music, drones and smoking near forest trails are discouraged, and the local community depends on visitors respecting the rules.
Hotels in the main street fill up quickly on long weekends, so book ahead. Many have fixed meal timings, and the kitchens close early, so tell your hotel when you will arrive. A small entry fee is collected at the gate, so keep some cash handy and check current details on arrival.
Optional Extras and Slower Versions
If you have an extra day, spend it walking the longer trails, such as the stretch to Alexander Point or Monkey Point, or take the toy train just for the experience. Photographers love the early morning hours when the mist sits low on the valley.
You can also drop Lonavala's busier spots and instead stay a night in Karjat or Neral for a calmer start. Cab Service Pune can reshape the plan so the pace matches your group.
Booking With Cab Service Pune
Share your dates, group size and preferences through WhatsApp, phone or the enquiry form. We will send the plan and fare before the trip. Toll, parking and state tax are normally charged at actuals unless an all-inclusive package is quoted. Hotel assistance can be coordinated on request.
If you are ready to plan your Lonavala Matheran tour package from Pune, call or WhatsApp 7888117999 and speak to Cab Service Pune.
Tour Itinerary
- Day 1: Early departure from Pune, visit Karla or Bhaja Caves and Tiger's Point in Lonavala, lunch and chikki stop
- Day 1 afternoon: Drive via Khopoli and Karjat to Neral and Dasturi Naka, then enter Matheran on foot, by horse or hand-rickshaw
- Day 2: Morning viewpoints such as Echo Point, Louisa Point and Panorama Point, breakfast and rest at Charlotte Lake
- Day 2 afternoon: Return to Dasturi Naka, meet your driver and drive back to Pune by evening
Choose Your Vehicle
FAQs
Can the car go into Matheran?
No. Matheran is a vehicle-free hill station. The car stops at Dasturi Naka, and you continue on foot, by horse, by hand-rickshaw or on the toy train from Neral if it is running.
How far is Matheran from Lonavala?
Roughly 70 km via Khopoli and Karjat to Neral, which takes around 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic. The last part from Neral to Dasturi Naka is a short uphill drive.
Is two days enough for this trip?
Yes, if you keep it simple. One day for Lonavala and the transfer, and one full day in Matheran. A third day lets you walk more points without hurrying.
Is this trip suitable for senior citizens?
It can be, with planning. Hand-rickshaws or horses help on the stretch from Dasturi Naka, and you can choose shorter viewpoints. Mention mobility needs at booking so we can plan stops accordingly.
What is the best season?
November to February gives clear views and cooler walking. The monsoon is beautiful but slippery, and some points may be closed or foggy. Check weather and local restrictions before you travel.
How do I book this package?
Call or WhatsApp 7888117999 with your date, group size and preferred vehicle. We confirm the plan and fare before you pay anything.