Clouds drop gently on the peaks that flank the verdant slopes of Peermade. Rich with mile upon mile of plantation s falling away in precise steps.

Coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom and rubber flourish in what is the most fertile part of the Western Ghats.

Broken only by spectacular waterfalls in the distance and wide open grasslands in places. On a fairly warm day the mercury reads between five and ten degrees celsius.

Little wonder then, that the former Re-jas of Travancore sought this tiny hill station out as their summer resort.

SIDELIGHTS

Periyar Wildlfe Sanctuary: One of the largest wildlife reserves in India, this is just 43 kms (travel time: 1hour) from Peermade. Herds of wild elephants frolicking iln its splendid lake forms major attraction.

An anundance of other wildlife in-cluding sambar, tigers and laughilng thrushes can be observed at close quarters.

GETTING THERE: Peermade is 85 kms east to Kottayam (travel time : 2 hours), on the way to Thekkady.