Western Ghats & Thar Desert
The Western Ghats (Sahyadri Mountains) stretch over 1,600 km along the west coast — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's most significant biodiversity hotspots. Older than the Himalayas, they host over 7,400 plant species, 500 bird species, and 190 amphibian species, many of which are found nowhere else.
The Western Ghats capture the southwest monsoon and are responsible for Kerala's lush greenery, the tea plantations of Munnar, and the coffee plantations of Coorg (Karnataka). The hill stations Ooty, Kodaikanal, and Coorg offer cool retreats from the heat of the plains. The Silent Valley National Park (Kerala) is one of the last remaining tropical rainforests in India.
Thar Desert
The Thar Desert (Great Indian Desert) spans over 200,000 km² in Rajasthan and is the most densely populated desert in the world. Despite the aridity, millions of people, camels, chinkaras (gazelles), and the rare Indian desert fox live here. The sand dunes around Jaisalmer and the salt flats of the Rann of Kutch (Gujarat) offer spectacular landscapes. In winter (November–February), the desert is pleasantly warm during the day and bitterly cold at night.
