Day Trip to Matheran | Discover this vehicle-free, ecologically diverse getaway rich in colonial heritage

Starting from Mumbai just after dawn, we will drive about three hours to Dasturi, which is the point after which vehicles are not allowed. From there, it's either 15 minutes by the shuttle train, or about 45 minutes walking at a leisurely pace to the Bazaar area. Here we would stop for a quick snack and tea/coffee/soft drinks and the rest room before heading out to explore the rest of Matheran on foot. The forest is beautiful and has plenty of flora and fauna. We will take in 19th century colonial houses (some turned into hotels), the Holy Cross church, as well as Paymaster Park, Charlotte Lake, etc, as much as time and energy permit. We can stop for lunch at a local eatery or it can be arranged at one of the heritage hotels with prior notice. We will return to Dasturi on foot (or e-rickshaw, if available) and then to Mumbai by the same vehicle we came in.