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Trip highlights
A car-free hill station, a night on the Pawna shore and a fort climb, three days in the Sahyadris.
Matheran, the only vehicle-free hill station in AsiaLakeside camping at Pawna with a bonfireLohagad Fort climb on stone stepsBhushi Dam in the monsoonEcho Point, Charlotte Lake and Tiger’s LeapCampsite dinner and next-morning breakfast included
Day-wise plan
Meals and stay listed on every day · pace built for a group.
1Day 1 · Day 01: Pune to Lonavala | Tiger Point, Lion Point & Bhushi Dam. · Meals: ·
- Day 0 - Report at Secunderabad Railway Station by 8 PM.
- Overnight train to Pune, reaching by morning. Sleep on the train.
- Grade: Easy. Viewpoint stops with short walks.
- Keep in your day bag: 2L water, dry snacks, a rain layer and a government photo ID.
- Arrive Pune, freshen up and board the private vehicle — pickup from Hadapsar.
- Drive out to Lonavala for around three hours of monsoon sightseeing.
- Tiger Point first, for the drop into the valley, then Lion Point for the wide Sahyadri view.
- On to Bhushi Dam, where the water runs over the steps through the monsoon.
- Evening drive to the resort, about 30 minutes from Matheran.
- Dinner at the resort, included.
- Overnight at the resort.
- Carry a backpack, not a trolley bag — tomorrow's walk into Matheran is on dirt and gravel and wheels are miserable on it.
- Bhushi Dam is packed on weekends and closes at short notice when the water runs high. If it is shut we substitute another waterfall stop.
- Dinner tonight is included. Lunch on the way is at your own cost.
2Day 2 · Day 02: Matheran | Echo Point & Charlotte Lake, then Pawna Lakeside Camp. · Meals: ·
- Grade: Easy. Walk in: ~3 km from Dasturi Naka. On foot: 1–1.5 hrs.
- Breakfast at the resort, included, then the short drive to the Matheran base at Dasturi Naka.
- No private vehicles are allowed beyond this point — the last stretch into town is on foot, or by the union cab (₹120 one way, at your own cost). Horses and hand-rickshaws are also available at your own cost.
- A full day on the red-earth trails: Echo Point, Charlotte Lake, Lord's Point and the Khandala viewpoint.
- Time in the Matheran market for chikki, leather and a hot chai before walking out.
- Evening transfer to the Pawna lakeside campsite.
- Overnight in tents at Pawna Lake.
- The toy train runs subject to weather and availability and is not part of the package.
- Camping is basic by design — shared tents, common washrooms, no room service. Carry a torch and a power bank.
- Breakfast and dinner today are included. Lunch in Matheran is at your own cost.
3Day 3 · Day 03: Lohagad or Korigad Fort | Return to Pune. · Meals: ·
- Grade: Easy to moderate. Distance: ~4 km round trip. Time on trail: 2–3 hrs.
- Wake up by the lake, breakfast at the camp, included, then pack up and check out.
- Short drive to the base of the fort — Lohagad, the Iron Fort of the Marathas, or Korigad, as conditions allow.
- The climb runs up broad stone steps to the ramparts, with Pawna Lake and the Sahyadri ranges spread out below.
- Descend, then the drive back towards Pune — roughly 2 to 3 hours.
- Time near the station to change out of trek clothes before boarding the afternoon sleeper train back to Hyderabad.
- The trip ends here, on the platform, with everyone considerably muddier than they arrived.
- The steps are worn smooth and stay wet through the monsoon. Shoes with real grip matter on this one.
- The fort choice between Lohagad and Korigad is the trek captain's call on the day, by weather and crowd.
- Breakfast is included today. Lunch near the station is at your own cost.
Where you'll stay
The properties this batch sleeps in — swapped only for something equal or better.
Matheran homestay1 night · sharing basis in the car-free town
Pawna lakeside camp1 night · twin or triple tents on the shore, common washrooms, bonfire
Train, Hyderabad to PuneSleeper class both ways
What's in, what's not
Included
- Sleeper-class train tickets, Hyderabad ⇄ Pune (both ways).
- Private transportation, Pune to Pune.
- 2 nights accommodation on a sharing basis — 1 night resort stay near Matheran, 1 night lakeside camping at Pawna.
- Meals as specified — 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners: dinner on Day 1, breakfast and dinner on Day 2, breakfast on Day 3.
- Trip Captain with the group throughout.
Not included
- Any meals other than those mentioned under inclusions.
- Entry tickets and activity charges.
- Dasturi union cab into Matheran — ₹120 one way.
- Personal expenses, tips and anything of a personal nature.
- Any cost arising from a weather-driven itinerary change, route substitution or extended stay.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions.
