Directions to Matheran from Mumbai:
Get out of Mumbai, go towards Panvel, look for Pune signs and get on to old Mumbai Pune Highway. Dont take the new Mumbai pune expressway. Keep going until you big signs for ''Chowk'', ''Karjat'' on the old Mumbai Pune Hwy. I've not exactly timed myself, it should take 1.5 hours to come here from Mumbai Central, +- 20 mins depending on how fast/slow you drive.
When you reach there you will see signs for ''Matheran 29 KM'' with a left hand arrow. So turn left and keep going on this local road, you will reach a small crossing, this is Karjat. At this point you need to turn left for Matheran. If you feel you are lost, just ask. Its hard to get lost. This local road is very bumpy almost all the way. You will reach Neral.
From there on, the driving is not for the faint hearted. You will see multiple signs of ''1st Gear'' which means the hills are really steep with sharp blind turns where you need to switch to 1st gear. Some of these slopes feel like 45 degrees, you have to hit the gas full throttle in 1st gear. Dont forget to honk during the sharp turns. After about 3km trecherous drive after Neral, you will be relieved to see yourself at Dasturi Point where you need to park your car. Beyond this, its a no car zone. Hop into a man pulled rickshaw, or take the horse, or trek all the way into Matheran..
