Just outside the bustling centre of Kumily, Pepper County Homestay is a suavely modern and immaculate house with a sense of rural seclusion. It is owned by Mr. Cyriac and his wife Dolly. The house looks out onto spectacular views across hills and plantations, and Cyriac himself owns a plantation consisting mainly off pepper and cardamom with many other spices and fruits, such as chillis, cashews, cinnamon and jackfruit. He is happy to show guests around the 6 surrounding acres of plantation and tells them all about the different types of vegetation, constantly giving you produce to smell and taste. The couple and their 3 grown up children are Roman Catholic and Cyriac comes from a large local family that has long been in the plantation business. Staying at Pepper County provides an interesting insight into a modern day plantation family who are keeping to traditional values whilst moving with the times.
The couple allows guests privacy but they always enjoy a chat, offering guests freshly picked fruit or a snack made by Dolly who is an exceptional cook. They suggest activities such as the hike or drive to the breathtakingly dramatic viewpoint at Kurusamalai summit and are happy to show guests all the local walking routes; bicycles can also be rented from Kumily. The front veranda is a perfect spot for bird watching or seeing the sun set over the hills; the rose garden behind the house also adds to the sense of natural beauty. Pepper County is a great base for visiting attractions such as Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and exploring the local area, the couple can organize any trips which guests are interested in.
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