Wedged between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Western Ghats mountain range to the east, geographically Kerala is roughly divided into three climatically distinct regions, the eastern highlands (rugged and cool mountainous terrain), the central midlands (rolling hills), and the western lowlands (coastal plains). Being situated in the tropics the weather is mainly humid and wet due to the influence of the monsoons, though the eastern fringes are substantially drier.

The Western Ghat range of mountains are composed of high mountain peak rising on an average to 1500m above sea level, with gorges, and deep-cut valleys covered with dense forests, interspersed with tea, coffee and spice plantations, spectacular waterfalls and mountain streams. This is the most species-rich eco region in peninsular India with eighty percent of the flowering plant species of the entire mountain range found here. The mountains are ideal for travelers with a passion for the outdoors.

Numerous outback trails and trekking routes snake through the forests with many spots ideal for adventure sports. Visitors will also find delight in the dazzling profusion of flora and fauna endemic to the Western Ghats. Forty-one of Kerala’s forty-four rivers originate in this region. The Western Ghats in an unbroken stretch, separate Kerala from the rest of the country with a natural mountain pass known as the Palakkad Gap providing access to peninsular India. Situated west of the mountains, the midland plains comprise a swathe of land running along central Kerala with paddy fields at the bottom and groves of rubber and fruit trees besides crops such as black pepper and tapioca on the elevated areas.

Kerala’s coastal belt on the western fringe is relatively flat, teeming with paddy fields, groves of coconut trees, and heavily crisscrossed by a network of interconnected canals, rivers brackish water lakes and estuaries that lies inland from the coast and run most of the length of the state.