Cardamom Hills, Mountain range in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, India.
The Cardamom Hills are a mountain range spanning Kerala and Tamil Nadu with dense forests and deep valleys throughout. The highest points reach 2,695 meters, and the landscape is covered in tropical evergreen vegetation.
These mountains served as ancient trade routes for merchants dealing in spices, who established the first cardamom plantations here in the 1800s. The region became a major production center for this valuable crop.
Local communities have lived here for generations, cultivating cardamom, pepper, coffee, and tea using traditional methods that shape the land. You can see these plantations scattered across the slopes, woven into the daily rhythm of the region.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the central area offers boat rides, guided hikes, and chances to watch wildlife year-round. Bring sturdy shoes and rain gear, as the terrain is wet and uneven with muddy paths during the rainy season.
These hills produce about 70 percent of India's cardamom while protecting over 350 endangered plant and animal species in their forests. This blend of spice farming and wildlife conservation makes the region distinct.
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