- Starting from
- Pune
- Duration
- 2 Days / 1 Night
- Distance
- about 260 km round trip (approx.)
- Mode
- Private AC cab with driver
- Package rate
- Call for best fare
About This Tour Package
If you want a short break from the city, a Matheran tour package from Pune is one of the easiest weekend plans to pull off. Matheran sits in the Sahyadri range near Karjat in Raigad district, and its biggest charm is that no motor vehicle is allowed inside the town. The air is cooler, the lanes are red laterite, and the viewpoints open onto deep valleys.
Cab Service Pune plans this 2 Days / 1 Night trip so that the road part is easy. A clean AC cab picks you up from your Pune address, drives you down the expressway and the Karjat side, and parks safely while you spend your time in the hills.
Why Matheran Is Different from Other Hill Stations
Most hill stations are crowded with traffic. Matheran is the opposite. Cars stop at Dasturi Naka, on the approach from Neral, and from there you reach the main market area on foot, on horseback, or by hand-pulled rickshaw. Many visitors also take the narrow-gauge toy train from Neral; check current running status and timings before you plan around it.
This vehicle-free rule is exactly why the place feels slow and quiet. You hear birds, hooves and footsteps instead of horns. Families with children, couples and small friend groups all enjoy it.
How the Road Journey Works
The drive from Pune is roughly 120 to 130 km one way. The usual route runs along the Pune-Mumbai Expressway side, comes down the Khopoli area, passes Karjat and reaches Neral. Plan for about three to four hours depending on traffic and stops, and a little more on a busy Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Our drivers know this ghat stretch well and take it at a steady pace. Tolls and parking are normally charged at actuals unless an all-inclusive quote is given to you, and the fare is shared before the trip starts.
Day 1: Neral, Dasturi Naka and the Main Viewpoints
Leave Pune early, ideally by 6:30 or 7:00 am, so you reach Neral by late morning. Have a quick tea or breakfast at a roadside stop on the way. At Dasturi Naka you will find the entry point, a ticket counter and a line of porters, ponies and rickshaw pullers.
Once you check in at your hotel, you can start with the nearby viewpoints. Matheran has dozens of named points and you cannot see them all in one visit, so choose a few. Charlotte Lake is a gentle first stop. Echo Point, Louisa Point and Panorama Point are popular for wide valley views, and sunset at Porcupine Point is a favourite closing activity.
- Echo Point for the valley view and the playful echo
- Charlotte Lake for a calm walk near the water
- Louisa Point and Panorama Point for open sightlines
- Porcupine Point for a classic sunset
Day 2: One Tree Hill, Market Stroll and Return
Mornings in Matheran are the best part. Wake up early, take a walk along the shaded red path and watch the mist lift. One Tree Hill, Monkey Point and Alexander Point are good morning options if you are fit enough for a longer walk, and horses are available if not. Always agree on a price with the horse or rickshaw owner before you start.
After breakfast and checkout, spend an hour in the main market. Chikki, local sweets and leather chappals are what people usually buy, and you can pick up souvenirs for family back home. Then walk back to Dasturi Naka, meet your driver and begin the drive to Pune.
Best Time to Visit Matheran
Winter, from about October to February, is pleasant and clear. The monsoon turns the hills deep green with waterfalls and floating mist, but paths get slippery, views can disappear in cloud and some viewpoints may be restricted for safety. Summer is warm but still cooler than the plains, and it gets crowded around school holidays.
The town has traditionally had a monsoon closure of some facilities, so check current conditions before booking a rainy-season trip. Cab Service Pune will tell you honestly if the weather looks risky for your dates.
Choosing the Right Vehicle
For two to four people, a Swift Dzire sedan is usually enough, although luggage space is limited, so pack light because you will be carrying bags on foot or paying a porter. For a family of five to seven, an Ertiga or Innova Crysta gives more space and comfort. Bigger groups can ask for a Tempo Traveller or a Force Urbania.
Since the cab waits at Dasturi Naka, avoid taking heavy suitcases. A small backpack per person is far better than a big trolley bag on a red-mud trail.
What to Carry and Practical Tips
A little preparation makes the trip smoother. Good footwear matters more than anything else, because the trail can be dusty in dry months and muddy after rain.
- Comfortable shoes with grip, not slippers or smooth soles
- Water bottle, a cap, sunscreen and a light jacket for the evening
- Your ID card for hotel check-in and entry formalities
- Some cash for ponies, porters and small shops, as digital payments can be patchy
Keep food wrappers with you and do not feed the monkeys, as they can snatch bags. If you plan to ride a horse, avoid it if you are uncomfortable with heights near the edges.
Safety and Comfort on the Trip
Ghat roads need a calm and experienced hand, and that is what our drivers bring. In the monsoon we suggest leaving early, avoiding night driving and keeping a buffer in the schedule for slow traffic or a landslide-related delay. Children and older family members should rest at the hotel in the afternoon rather than rushing between viewpoints.
Dress simply, walk slowly and keep your phone charged. Network can be weak in parts of the hill station.
How to Book This Matheran Package
Booking is simple. Share your travel dates, pickup area in Pune, number of people and any preferences such as a sedan or a larger vehicle, and we will confirm the plan. Hotel stay inside Matheran can be coordinated on request, so please confirm that at the time of booking. The fare is shared before the trip, and customised plans for families, office groups and friends are welcome.
For a relaxed Matheran tour package from Pune with a dependable driver, call or WhatsApp us on 7888117999 and tell us your dates. Cab Service Pune will take care of the road so you can enjoy the quiet.
Tour Itinerary
- Day 1: Early pickup from your Pune address and drive via Lonavala-Khopoli side to Neral (about 3-4 hours with stops)
- Day 1: Reach Dasturi Naka, walk, ride a horse or take a rickshaw to your hotel in Matheran and check in
- Day 1: Afternoon visit to Charlotte Lake, Echo Point and Louisa Point
- Day 1: Sunset at Porcupine Point or Panorama Point and a relaxed evening in the market
- Day 2: Early morning walk to One Tree Hill, Monkey Point or Alexander Point
- Day 2: Breakfast, hotel checkout and last-hour souvenir shopping for chikki and local sweets
- Day 2: Walk back to Dasturi Naka, meet your cab and drive back to Pune
Choose Your Vehicle
FAQs
Can the cab go inside Matheran?
No. Matheran is a vehicle-free hill station. Cars stop at Dasturi Naka near Neral, and you continue on foot, by horse, or by hand-pulled rickshaw. Your cab and driver wait at the parking area until you return.
How far is Matheran from Pune by road?
The drive to Neral is roughly 120-130 km one way and usually takes about three to four hours depending on traffic and halts. The last stretch inside Matheran is covered on foot, horse or rickshaw.
Is one night enough for Matheran?
Yes, for a first visit one night is enough to see the main viewpoints, enjoy a sunset and a quiet morning walk. If you like long walks and photography, you can ask for a customised three-day plan.
What is the best season for this tour?
October to February is pleasant and clear. The monsoon is green and beautiful but slippery, and some facilities or viewpoints may be restricted. Check current conditions before travelling in the rains.
Is hotel booking included in the package?
Hotel stay in Matheran can be coordinated on request. Please confirm inclusions, the room type and the final fare at the time of booking, as tolls, parking and taxes may be charged at actuals.
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.