Things To Carry/Wear

Snacks (non-perishable)

Rainwear (rain jacket/poncho)

Packed lunch

Drinking water (minimum 2 litres)

Sturdy shoes with a grip

Sweets/Glucon D (optional)

Camera (optional)

Trekking pole (optional but very useful)

Important Notes

1. Please do not miss the 6:10 am Karjat Fast from CST station. Feel free to board this train from any other station (Byculla 6:18 am, Dadar 6:24 am, Kurla 6:31 am, Ghatkopar 6:35 am, Thane 6:49 am), but it will be crowded, and if you miss this train, you will not be able to join us for the trek. Meet us at the Bhivpuri station ticket counter by 8:00 am. Plan accordingly.

2. Please carry a packed lunch that will not spoil. If you do not want to carry lunch, you could carry snacks and eat lunch once we reach Matheran market (around 3 pm)

3. Please make sure you have good rain gear to protect yourself and your bag from getting wet.

4. This is a trek and not a nature trail; we will be ascending and descending slopes throughout the course of the trek.

5. Please wear sturdy closed footwear with a good grip and one that won't tear.

6. Do not carry sling bags or any bag that dangles. Try keeping your hands free at all times.

7. For those of you who haven't trekked before, don't worry, we at Vagabond encourage you to take your time and have a great experience climbing with us. A Vagabond trek isn't about speed, it's about the group experience. For those of you who have trekked before, we encourage you to encourage the beginners and help them along the way.

8. A day prior, you will be added to a WhatsApp group with all the other participants and your assigned Experience Manager. Further instructions will be shared on this group, and you can coordinate your travel with your co-travellers.

What's an EM?

At Vagabond, we don’t do 'Trip Leaders', 'Tour Managers' or 'Trip Captains'. Every Vagabond experience is hosted by an 'Experience Manager' (aka EM). EMs are trained to do one job: help you have a comfortable, safe and fulfilling experience.

They're the beating heart of Vagabond. The very face and foundation of what we've been building for more than a decade.

From being highly approachable, knowing our best games and breaking the ice, to 'managing' your 'experience' in a wholesome manner, they understand the vibe. Why we do what we do.

If you're an introvert and want to join solo, don't worry. Our EMs will make sure you don't feel left out :)

Who is the experience best suited for?

1. There isn’t an age restriction on any of our experiences, everyone is welcome. However, the average Vagabond customer is anywhere between 20 – 32 years old. The experiences involve a good amount of time spent with the group. Depending on what experience you’re opting for, there could be a lot of walking and physical exertion.

2. It’s important to understand that most of our experiences include very rustic accommodation and not a luxurious means of transport. These may be basic in their facilities, but the hospitality is homely and comforting. If you’re someone who doesn’t like compromising on your comforts while travelling, this experience may not be very enjoyable.

3. Most of our trips have a healthy number of solo travellers. We encourage you to join us solo, especially if you’re tired of waiting on your friends. We promise you’ll return with many more.

4. We try our best to be responsible travellers. Everyone is welcome to explore with us, but we pay utmost importance to cleanliness on all our experiences. We encourage you to leave no trace behind while you discover the beauty of the outdoors.

5. It’s important to understand that in a limited amount of time, only a limited amount of experiences can be had. We like to cover a few places in-depth rather than just ticking off a long list of things to do and places to go. However, if you are that kind of traveller, on almost all trips, you can feel free to wander by yourself to places of your interest.

6. At a Vagabond Experience, it’s important to stay open-minded and positive when things don’t go as planned. The essence of travelling in a group is being able to help each other out when in need. The weather could go bad, and plans could get altered. In such situations, we urge you to have faith in your group leader to make the most informed decision for the group.