The hill stations of Kerala are dense in vegetation and provide natural habitat to exotic wildlife. These beautiful hill stations of Kerala are also the source of the famous spices of Kerala. Spices such as pepper, cardamom, cinnamon and the cashew nut are grown in the plantations on the hill stations in Kerala. The Dutch and English colonial rulers of Kerala introduced cash crops plantations such as rubber and tea in the 18th and 19th centuries, which has continued till today.

Some of the major hill stations in Kerala are:

Munnar-Munnar, located at an altitude of 1,600 m, is one of the most beautiful hill stations of Kerala. Munnar has the highest peak in south India, Anamundi, which rises to a height of 2695 m. Munnar was the most favored summer destination of European settlers for centuries. Munnar actually means the 'Three Rivers' and derives its name from the three-mountain stream, Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. The confluence of these rivers is at the heart of the town and they fulfill all the water requirements of the town. Munnar is an ideal destination for a peaceful vacation. It offers a variety to the visitors in terms of sight seeing as there are lots of tourist attractions including the lakes, dams, wild life sanctuaries and tea and spice plantations.

Ponmudi-The salubrious hill station of Ponmudi is at a distance of 61 kms from Thiruvananthapuram. The enchanting bounty of nature can be witnessed here in the quiet surroundings. Perched at an altitude of over 100 m above sea level on the Western Ghats, the shimmering green waters of the winding streams and verdant woods of Ponmudi do not spare anybody. Trekking is a passion with the visitors to Ponmudi, lying within easy driving distance from Thiruvananthapuram. One will find oneself compulsively pausing every now and then to drink in deep the spectacular sweep of the hill ranges, tea-estates and the mist-covered valleys, peppered with little toy-like stone cottages painted a pretty violet, pink, or white with pointed and peaked roofs. Prime Attractions of Ponmudi Deer Park : A charming Deer Park is only 3 kms away from the resort. Orchids : The beautiful flowers, the orchids thrive in wild profusion. Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary : It is a very famous wildlife sanctuary, where elephants, sambhar and leopards live in large numbers. Golden Valley : It is a Pretty picnic spot, endowed with natural springs, a little further down the hill. Golden Valley is a little, scenic viewpoint. Wayanad- Wayanad is located at the altitude ranging from 700 to 2,100 meters above sea level and has a typical flora and fauna. The sub tropical savannah and the paddy fields add to the charming beauty of this destination. It is located at Kalpetta, which is the district headquarters of Wayanad. With plentiful of tea and coffee plantations, Wayanad has attracted tourists from all over the world. There are numerous places of interest in this Kerala town, where you can visit to know about the richness of the place. The fresh water Pookkot Lake, set amidst the forested hills is an amazing sight to behold. Absolute serenity and quietude rules this lake side. One can enjoy the motor boat ride in this lake and see the lush green vegetation along the banks. One should not miss the aquarium and a spice emporium. The spice plantations are a must spot to see. Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, also known as Soochippara, with the background of a deep forest will simply take your breath away. Make a way through the dense forests and spend your vacation of a lifetime. If you have the adventure spirit in you, then make sure to go for trekking in Wayanad. Trek to Chembra Peak, which happens to be the highest one in Wayanad and satisfy your adventurous mind. There are various shrines, which are worth visiting, include the Jain shrines the Anantnathaswami Temple and Koottamunda Glass Temple. The Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary is the major draw of this place.