The Cardamom hills are located in the southern tip of India encompassing the Western Ghats. Western part of the Cardamom hills are in the south-central region of Kerala, the percentage area being 26% and the other part of the hill extending till Tamil Nadu with a percentage area of 74%. Latitudinal and longitudinal location is 9° 43` N; 77° 58` E. Its location makes it countable among the wettest regions of the country.

The Periyar wildlife sanctuary, which is, located in the low-lying Cardamom Hills form an important center of attraction. Here the Periyar Lake is an artificial lake covering an area of 5,500 hectares. The sanctuary occupies 777 sq kms, out of which the forests cover an area of 360 sq kms. The forest vegetation is semi evergreen, the grasslands are typically Savannah and 171 species of grass and 143 species of orchids are present in the sanctuary. Animals include Gaur, Wild Boars, Sambar Deer, Bison, Barking Deer, Wild Dogs, Lion Tailed Macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Langur and Tigers and the bird species include Hornbills, Storks, Woodpeckers, Kingfishers, Cormorants and Darters.