The topography of the western side of the Indian peninsula includes some coastal plains backed by a medium size mountain range with peaks up to about 9,000 feet known as the Western Ghats. The Ghats block most of the massive rainfall that falls along the Malabar Coast from reaching the drier interior Deccan plateau. The mountains have a cool, misty climate conducive to growing coffee, tea, and some kinds of spices and were favored by the British who constructed hill towns for rest and relaxation in the area during the colonial era, the best known of which is Ooty in Tamil Nadu.
WE stayed for two nights in Wayanad, the name of the mountain district in northern Kerala rather than of a specific town, en route from Mysore to Cochin . Our accommodations were at two homestays located several miles apart between which we alternated our meals. One was in fact rooms in the home of an affluent local family while the other was in several luxurious cabins on a coffee and spice plantation. Although there is some wildlife in the region we were the viewing tours available were not recommended so spent the time in such quieter activities as wandering the tea gardens and spice plantations, bird watching, and short hikes. The Western Ghats are a beautiful area and one I could have spent much more time exploring.