This Spring the team took a return trip to Matheran, reprising our visit from three years ago. Matheran is an eco-sensitive hill station 56 miles (90 km) east of Mumbai at the edge of the Western Ghats. Hill stations are towns at higher altitude than the surrounding area. Matheran is at about 2,600 ft (800 m) above sea level and Wikipedia tells us that “Matheran” means “forest on the forehead.” Hill stations are popular tourist destinations as they are generally cooler than the cities. To get you interested, here is a picture from Louisa Point where we went to see the sunset. Note that clicking on a picture will bring up a full-sized version.

Matheran’s status as an eco-sensitive hill station means that development is restricted. No cars are allowed beyond the Dasturi parking area a mile or so from the main village. Travel into the village is either on horseback or on a narrow-gauge railroad. We drove up to Matheran in several cars, arriving at the parking area by late afternoon.

Our host had arranged for horse transportation. We assembled the group and headed off to our hotel.

It was a 15-20 minute ride to the hotel through the village. It was warm enough that the effort of staying on the horse was enough to leave one a bit sweaty.

All of the supplies for the resorts, for construction, and for everything comes in and out of Matheran by horse or on the small train. We passed some work horses as we reached the village.

We stayed at the Usha Ascot, a very nice resort on the far side of the village from the parking.

After resting up a bit, we saddled up and headed off to Echo Point and then to Louisa Point to watch the sunset. This is my groomsman who took made sure my horse didn’t run off with me on it.

Off we went, down the dusty trail.

After a short stay at Echo Point, we headed over to Louisa Point to watch the sunset. Here we are looking east from Louisa Point to Echo Point. The colors were wonderful.

Looking south from Louisa Point, you can see the reservoir behind Morbe Dam. The pointed mountain on the right is the location of Irshalgad Fort. It looks like it might be a good trekking site as well.

Looking down to the west, we saw a small village on the side of the valley. You can see a cricket match under way in the town.

Monkeys were all around. This one is pondering me as the Sun sets in the distance.

This panorama shows the side of Matheran from Echo Point on the left to One Tree Hill Point at the right edge of the plateau. We will see more from One Tree Hill Point below. Irshalgad Fort is on the far right. Definitely click on this picture to see all the details.

After an evening with good food and good company, we got up, had a little breakfast, and headed off on a trek to One Tree Hill Point.

Along the road of Matheran, you come across many entrances to houses or estates. Some, like this, look deserted.

This one certainly doesn’t look like it is in regular use.

Others, like this one, are neat and well kept. This must be the estate of the Dubash family.

What is down this clean path into the forest?

A few have clear identifying marks: “Jitekars Sherra Cottage.” Couldn’t find anything on the internet about that one.

Some are slowly disappearing back into the forest.

The dirt is very red on Matheran. A lot of iron in the soil, a legacy of the long-past Deccan Traps vulcanism.

One Tree Hill at One Tree Hill Point with Irshalgad Fort in the distance.

Looking north from One Tree Hill.

After enjoying the view, we returned to the village and to our hotel to freshen up and get some lunch.

There was a very nice young dog at the hotel. We became fast friends.

Matheran is not a big town but it has a unique offering of — 9-D cinema!

Here I am with my trusty groom and the fine black horse I rode on our visit.

A vendor sells vegetables and fruit out by the parking area at the end of the road.

There is a small market and tea shop at the Dasturi Parking area.

You can arrange car transport to many locations, Fares range from a low of Rs 1,500 ($22) to Kalyan which is 25 miles (40 km) away to a high of Rs 4,000 ($204) to Ahmedabad and Goa which are both about 350 miles (563 km) away. The latter would be a long drive.

I will leave you with the silhouette of a tree. We were off on the road back to Mumbai.

And now the repeat of the picture so Facebook picks it up as the thumbnail for the post.