Garbett Point
Garbett Point is perhaps the most challenging yet rewarding viewpoint near Matheran, famous not just for the vista but for the strenuous Garbett Plateau trek that leads to it. It is located on the south-west side of the hill station and is often listed as an external attraction, with its base villag e at Bhivpuri or Diksal near Karjat. The trek is renowned during the monsoon season, offering lush green landscapes, small waterfalls, a massive plateau, and a stunning view of the vast Dhom Lake (Karjat) backwaters and the entire Matheran hill range. The point itself is an isolated spur of the hill, providing a magnificent 360-degree panoramic view from an altitude of approximately 2625 feet (800 meters) above sea level. It is a favorite among hardcore trekkers, nature enthusiasts, and landscape photographers. The view of the sunrise from Garbett Point is spectacular, often cited as one of the best in the region. The difficulty level of the trek is generally classified as moderate, making it a proper adventure activity rather than a simple tourist stroll. The nearest vehicular access point on the Matheran side is Dasturi Naka. The sheer scale of the landscape visible from here, especially the vast green plateau, is what sets it apart.
General information
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Ideal Duration:
5 to 7 hours (Full trek from base village and back)Place Type:
Adventure Trek, Plateau, Viewpoint, Sunrise Point:Entry Fees:
Matheran Eco-Tourism Tax: If exiting towards Dasturi Naka to get to Neral, the mandatory local body tax/eco-tax (approx. Rs.50 per adult) must be paid at the point of entry/exit on the Matheran plateau.
No Entry Fee at the Point: Garbett Poin...Matheran Eco-Tourism Tax: If exiting towards Dasturi Naka to get to Neral, the mandatory local body tax/eco-tax (approx. Rs.50 per adult) must be paid at the point of entry/exit on the Matheran plateau.
No Entry Fee at the Point: Garbett Point itself does not have a separate entry fee, as it is a natural, isolated viewpoint. Access is free.
Trekking Organizer Charges: The most significant cost is the fee charged by organized trekking groups, which typically ranges from Rs.750 to Rs.1500 per person and includes transport from Bhivpuri Road station, breakfast/lunch, first aid, and professional guiding services.
Base Village Parking: If driving to the base village (Diksal or Ashane), a small parking charge (approx. Rs.50 to 100) may be levied by local villagers for vehicle safety. :Timing:
Regular Timings: Sunrise to Sunset (Approximately 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). The trek must only be undertaken during daylight hours. Night trekking is often only done with professional, organized groups.
Ideal Visit Time: Very Early Morning (3 A...Regular Timings: Sunrise to Sunset (Approximately 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). The trek must only be undertaken during daylight hours. Night trekking is often only done with professional, organized groups.
Ideal Visit Time: Very Early Morning (3 AM to 6 AM start from the base) to reach the point for sunrise (around 6:30 AM). This allows for cooler trekking temperatures and the most spectacular views.
Monsoon Treks: Organized monsoon treks often start at 7:00 AM from the base to enjoy the lush greenery and streams, even without the sunrise view.
Time Allocation: The ascent alone takes 3 to 4 hours, and the descent takes about 2 hours. Allocate another 1 hour at the top, making it a full-day adventure. :Special Events:
Monsoon Trekking Festival: The entire monsoon season, particularly July and August, is a continuous informal 'festival' of trekking at Garbett Point, with numerous adventure clubs and solo trekkers converging for the experience. This creates a vibrant, energetic atmosphere ...Monsoon Trekking Festival: The entire monsoon season, particularly July and August, is a continuous informal 'festival' of trekking at Garbett Point, with numerous adventure clubs and solo trekkers converging for the experience. This creates a vibrant, energetic atmosphere of adventure and camaraderie.
Local Harvest Festivals: The base villages of Diksal and Ashane celebrate local agricultural harvest festivals, especially the one following the monsoon. Visitors who interact with the villagers may witness small, authentic cultural rituals and local music/dance performances.
New Year's Eve/Stargazing Camps: Certain responsible local organizations organize special New Year's Eve or general stargazing and camping events on the plateau, taking advantage of the isolated location for a clear night sky viewing experience. :Best Photo Spots:
Sunrise over the Plains: The definitive photo spot is facing east at dawn, capturing the dramatic colors of the sun rising over the distant plains and the vast, misty plateau in the foreground, a highly sought-after landscape shot.
The Dhom Lake...Sunrise over the Plains: The definitive photo spot is facing east at dawn, capturing the dramatic colors of the sun rising over the distant plains and the vast, misty plateau in the foreground, a highly sought-after landscape shot.
The Dhom Lake Backwater Frame: Find a spot on the cliff edge that frames the spectacular, blue-green expanse of the Dhom Lake (Karjat) backwaters in the valley below, showcasing the contrast between the dry land and the water body.
Trek Group Silhouette: Capture the trekking group walking across the massive Garbett Plateau, using their figures as a silhouette against the immense, misty landscape to emphasize the scale and the journey's solitude.
The Cliff Face Profile: Focus on the sheer, layered rock face of the point itself, highlighting the geology and the dramatic, terrifying drop into the valley, perfect for a sense of scale. :Photo Gallery
Things To Do
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The Full Garbett Plateau Trek: Embark on the challenging 5 to 7 hour trek from the base villages (Bhivpuri or Diksal) to the point, which is the main activity, often involving crossing streams and climbing steep sections, providing a true physical adventure.
Sunrise Photography: Start the trek early (often before 4:00 AM) to reach the top before dawn, capturing the spectacular sunrise over the hills and the ethereal mist covering the plateau. Camping (Post-Monsoon) Professional groups often organize night camps on the plateau (with local permission) after the heavy rains, allowing for stargazing and an early morning experience of the sunrise from the top.
Birdwatching and Nature Study: The vast, open plateau and the surrounding forest are excellent habitats for various bird and animal species, m...
Information
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Why Famous:
The Grand Monsoon Trek: Garbett Point is primarily famous for the rewarding trek across the vast, misty Garbett Plateau, which becomes an ethereal, lush green landscape during the monsoon season, attracting trekking groups from Mumbai and Pune.
...The Grand Monsoon Trek: Garbett Point is primarily famous for the rewarding trek across the vast, misty Garbett Plateau, which becomes an ethereal, lush green landscape during the monsoon season, attracting trekking groups from Mumbai and Pune.
Panoramic 360-Degree View: The point offers an unparalleled, expansive view that includes the Dhom Lake backwaters, the entire Matheran hill range, and the distant plains, a vista that is far more sweeping than views from other Matheran points.
The Sunrise Spectacle: It is widely considered one of the best spots for a dramatic sunrise, as its isolated position on the periphery of the range offers an unobstructed eastern view of the sun emerging over the vast terrain.
Gateway to Matheran Treks: For experienced trekkers, it is often used as a strenuous, alternative entry point to the Matheran hill station, providing an adventurous route rather than the standard taxi/toy train option. : -
Architecture:
Plateau Formation and Cliff Face: The architecture is predominantly natural, defined by the immense Garbett Plateau—a large, relatively flat landmass (irregular dimensions, often spanning a couple of square kilometers) that is an isolated part of the Western Ghats. The Po...Plateau Formation and Cliff Face: The architecture is predominantly natural, defined by the immense Garbett Plateau—a large, relatively flat landmass (irregular dimensions, often spanning a couple of square kilometers) that is an isolated part of the Western Ghats. The Point is the sheer cliff face on the plateau's edge, characterized by the dark, layered Deccan Trap basalt rock that falls away dramatically into the valley.
Trek Trail Infrastructure: The infrastructure is basic but functional, consisting of well-worn, unpaved earth trails, often marked with cairns or simple signboards. In some steep sections, there might be rudimentary rock-cut steps or railings (approx. 1m wide) installed by local bodies or trekkers for safety, especially where the trail ascends from the base village of Diksal or Ashane.
Resting Points and Shelters: Along the longer trek route, there are occasional small, naturally formed rock overhangs or rudimentary shelters (small dimensions) built from local stone by villagers, offering protection from the sun or rain for resting trekkers. : -
How To Reach:
By Air: Nearest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai (Approx. 85 KMS). Take a taxi/cab to Bhivpuri Road station, the start point of the trek.
By Train: Take a Mumbai Suburban Railway Central Line tra... -
Near Tourist Places:
Bhivpuri Waterfalls (Approx. 2 KMS from base village), Dhom Lake (Karjat) (Visible), Matheran Railway Station (Approx. 5 KMS via trek to Dasturi Naka), Dasturi Naka (Approx. 3 KMS via trek), Neral Junction (Approx. 10 KMS), Chowk Point (Distant View), Prabal Fort (Distant View), Bhivpuri Road Railway Station (Approx. 3 KMS from base village), Kothaligad/Peth Fort (Approx. 35 KMS), Irshalgad Fort (Distant View)
Tourism Tips
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Health & Safety: This is a proper trek, not a stroll. Do not attempt without proper trekking shoes, sufficient water (minimum 3 liters per person), and basic first-aid supplies. It is strongly recommended to trek with an experienced local guide or an organized group, espec...
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