The highlands of Western Ghats in South India are
home to some of the most beautiful hill resorts. With shimmering lakes,
verdant green forests, the aroma of sprawling tea and coffee plantations
along with fragrant pepper and cardamom plantations, the peaks of
Nilgiris and profusion of flowers surrounding its delightful treks to
more adventurous ones, hill resorts of South India have everything to
offer. The hill stations of Kerala offer peaceful panoramic
surroundings, thick, deep and dense tropical forests at an altitude of
1520 m above sea level. While Ponmudi offers narrow, winding pathways, a
deer park and excellent trekking trails, Idukki meaning 'narrow gorge'
is home to a number of tribes with their distinctive customs and
beliefs.Idukki's valleys, wildlife sanctuaries, spice plantations, hill stations, mountain treks, elephant rides and meandering streams are fantastic while Munnar's salubrious climate, tea plantations and colonial bungalows are legendary. Anamudi, the highest peak in South India is an ideal spot for trekking. Other highlights of Kerala hills are Mattupetti with its dairy farm, which is the result of the Indo-Swiss live stock project and the lovely and serene lake of Devikulam, which means 'Lake of the Goddess'. Udhagamandalam or Ooty is rightfully said to be Hill Capital of Tamil Nadu. However, due to the increasing number of tourists to the place, many people prefer smaller and quieter hill resorts of Coonoor and Kotagiri.
On the way to Coonoor, one can see the tribes of the Badagas and the Todas in the tiny village of Ketti. The Pali Hills of Kodaikanal are splendid while Yercaud is known as the 'Ooty of the Poor' with its aromatic coffee plantations and orange groves and more economical prices. Ketti has the highest railway station in the country at an altitude of 7,000 ft above the sea level while world-famous tea farms of Ooty are simply lovable. Kotagiri, the oldest hill station of the Nilgiris was once a British hill resort and features Elk Falls, Kodanad Viewpoint, Catherine Falls, and a wonderful golf course.
