Peak Season
Matheran in December
Maharashtra, India
Peak season — cool weather, holiday crowds. Book well ahead
Why December scores 5/5
Weather
Peak season — cool weather, holiday crowds. Book well ahead
Roads & Access
self drive: Drive to Dasturi car park. Then walk/horse 2.5km to town.. road condition: Good road to Dasturi Naka. Then walk/horse only.. public transport: Heritage toy train from Neral Junction (2hrs, scenic). Local trains to Neral from Mumbai.. from nearest city: Mumbai — 80km. Drive to Dasturi Naka (2hrs), then walk 2.5km or horse ride.. last km difficulty: moderate
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. note: CARRY BASIC FIRST AID. No proper medical facility in Matheran.. ambulance: 108 (but response time 30-45min due to access). police station: Matheran Police Station. nearest hospital: Small primary health center in Matheran. Neral (11km) or Panvel (30km) for proper hospital
Network
JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: No. Almost NO phone signal. BSNL has patchy coverage. This is intentional — digital detox destination. Inform family before going.
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Car-free environment — safe for kids to walk, Nature all around, Horse riding available, Toy train is exciting for children
Elevation
803m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Families with children
- ✓Anyone looking for the best time to visit
Who should think twice
- ✗Anyone needing constant connectivity
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4/5 | Cool 10-26°C. Clear views. Toy train running |
| February | 4/5 | Pleasant. Comfortable for walking all 28 viewpoints |
| March | 3/5 | Warming up. Still good for visits |
| April | 2/5 | Getting hot. Less pleasant for walking |
| May | 2/5 | Hot and dusty. Pre-monsoon humidity |
| June | 0/5 | Toy train suspended. Paths dangerous. Landslide risk |
| July | 0/5 | Closed effectively — toy train off, heavy rain, paths slippery |
| August | 0/5 | Closed — monsoon. Do not attempt |
| September | 1/5 | Monsoon receding. Toy train may resume late September |
| October | 5/5 | Post-monsoon — lush green, misty mornings, toy train running, perfect weather |
| November | 5/5 | Excellent conditions. Cool mornings, clear views, comfortable walking |
| Decemberviewing | 5/5 | Peak season — cool weather, holiday crowds. Book well ahead |
Practical Details
How to reach
Mumbai — 80km. Drive to Dasturi Naka (2hrs), then walk 2.5km or horse ride.. Roads: Good road to Dasturi Naka. Then walk/horse only.. Self-drive: Drive to Dasturi car park. Then walk/horse 2.5km to town.. Public transport: Heritage toy train from Neral Junction (2hrs, scenic). Local trains to Neral from Mumbai.. Last stretch: moderate
Elevation
803m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
mid-range
Nearby in Maharashtra scoring high in December
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