The lovely little hill station and the famous plantation town is located on the way to Thekkady. It was the summer resort of erstwhile Travancore Rajas (kings) and is set amidst the rubber, tea, coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations interspersed with waterfalls and open grass lands. The summer residence of the Travancore Rajas has been converted into a guest house by the Department of Tourism. Pirmed also offers delightful trekking trails.
Altitude: 915-1100 m above level temperature: 13 degree celcious, rainfall: 2500mm Peerumedu, the famous plantation town, takes its name from peer Mohammed, a sufi saint and close associate of the erswhile royal family of travancore. Wide vistas of tea, cardamom, rubber and coffee plantaions interspersed with silver cascades, sculptural rocks, meadows and mist-cloaked hilltops make Peerumedu an aunforgettable experience. The most delightful trekking trails complement the panoramic landcape. Monuments like the summer palace and summer residence of the royal family add to the splendour of the land. The summer residence now converted into a government guest house under the department of tourism, offers comfortable accommodation.
Accessing Peerumedu
Road:Distance from Peerumedy to different tourist centres
Thekkady: 35Km, vagamon: 25km, Kottayam: 75km, Munnar:140km, Madurai: 5okm, Jeeps are the best made of transport.
Bus timings from Peerumedu: Thiruvananthapuram: 0930, 1630 hrs, Alappuzha: 1215 hrs, Cherthala: 1515 hrs, Kottayam:Frequent bus services, Kumily frequent bus services, Ernakulam: 0800, 1415, 1600, 1715 hrs, Madurai: Frequent buses from Kumily.
In and around Peerumedu
Kuttikanam: A palce for adventure tourism and trekking, or even a languorous, tranquil break. This picturesque plantaion town washed in the frangrance of cardamon is surrounded by lush, green hills.
Thrissanku Hills: (4km from Peerumedu, 1/2 km from Kuttikanam) The rolling hills, the lovely landscape and the gentle breeze make this an ideal spot for long walks. The hills offer a breathtaking view of the sunrise and sunset.v
Summer Palace: The huge palace where the Maharajas of Travancore uses to spend their summers is set amidst lush greenery.
Panchalimedu: This largely unexplored are is said to have been the camping site of the Pandavas. The pond, Panchalikulam is said to have been used by Panchali, the wife of the Pandavas.
Peeru Hills: (4 km from Peerumedu; 1 km from Kuttikanam) This idyllic hiss staion is a favourite haunt of trekkers and picnickers. The hill ia named after Peer Mohammed, the Sufi saint, who spent his last days here. The mausoleum of the saint, the summer palace of the royal family and the residence of the Diwan situated nearbly are all a visit.
Grampi: (5km from Peerumedu; 10 km from Vandiperiyar gampi is also knowm as Parunthupara (eagle rock) bacause of the panoramic view its high peaks. Rocky planis, lush hillsides, forest, trekking trails and picturesque views lend charm to this destination. The road to Gampi is flanked by uncending streches of cardamom, tea and coffe plantations.
Amrita Medu: The second highest peak in South India after Anamudi, Amritha Medu offers a bird's-eye view of the entire Peerumedu region. An ideal trekking, spot, on Good Friday large numbers of people throng here in meomory of CHrist's crucification.
Madammakkulam: A natural pond under a gushing water fall encircled deep woods, this was a favourite spot of British plantes on the colonial times. The pond has been named Madam's pond or Madammakkulam after a British lady who used to frequent this spot.
Pattumala: (17 km east of Peerumedu; 28 km west of Thekkady) Lofty peaks, little streams and ever expanding tea plantations are the attractions of this place. Pattumala (which literally means hiss draped in silk) is home to two famous tea plantations-harrisons Malayalam and AV Thomas & Co. The Velankanni Matha Church, built entirely of granite, at the top of the hill is a famous oilgrim centre. The nearby flower garden with roses, orchids and anthurium is a fascinating riot of colors.
Koottickal-Mundakayam: Excellent stopovers, these adjacent places are blessed with the bountry of nature. But Mundakayam's claim to fame is that the first commercial production of rubber was started here in 1904.
Sahyadri Ayurvedic Centre: A well-established Ayurvedic hospital, Sahyadri, managed by the Peerumedu development society in Pallikunnu, is well known for its curative and rejuvenating treatment packages. The centre has well appointed treatment and accommodation facilities, a unit manufacturing, ayurvedic medicines a well as a well-maintained raw drugs museum where more than 200 varieties of rare and endangered herbs are prederved. More than 400 herbs used for medicines are grown in the hospital's own garden spread over 35 acres. For permission to visit the herb garden, contact the director-Peerumedu development society, Peerumedu, Idukki. Ph: 232097, 232247 Fax: 232096
Tribal Settlements in Peerumedu: The Orali, Malapandaram and Malayarayan tribes live in the hills of Peerumedu. The main tribal settlement is Plakkathadam wichi is also known its trekking trails.
Things to do Peermedu
Peermedu and its surrounding areas are ideal trekking, cycling and hire riding
Trekking: Main trekking area near Peerumedu are Peeu hills, Klthotti, Vagamon, Karandakapara Hills, Grampi (Parunthupara), Memala
Plantaion visits: Tea, coffee, cardamom, rubber etc. Trips to Meloram, Nallathanni, Panchalimedu, Valanjamkanam waterfalls etc. Visit to tea factories in an around Peerumedu.
Facilities
Banks/currency exchange: State bank of travancore, Perumedu Ph: 232033, Communication: Main post office, Peerumedu Ph: 232073.
