The tropical island nation of the Maldives is an archipelago of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, approximately 400 km to the southwest of India. The atolls form a double chain from north to south, and each consists of numerous and mostly small coral islands, numbering 1192 in total. With a land area so dispersed, and a highest point of only 2.4 m above sea level, the Maldives are not known as a hiking destination. It is the tropical beach resorts that attract tourists to the Maldives. So you may want to give your legs a luxurious rest here after hiking in Sri Lanka or Southern India.