Arrive Tirunelveli by your booked train (you said travel by train on 20 Sep). Collect the pre-booked rented car with driver at the station — this car will be your transport for the trip. Confirm vehicle pickup point and driver contact before travel.
Check in at a centrally located Tirunelveli hotel (choose near Nellaiappar Temple for convenience). Freshen up and brief the driver about the planned days.
Visit the famous Nellaiappar (Shiva) Temple in Tirunelveli; evening pooja/darshan is commonly available — typical temple timings: 5:30am–12:30pm and 4:30pm–8:45pm (please verify locally). It’s a must-see for its Dravidian architecture and historic mandapams.
Dine at a reliable local restaurant: Hotel Saravana Bhavan for South Indian classics (idli/dosa/thali) or a local coastal restaurant for fresh seafood; most places open until 10:00–11:00pm. Try Tirunelveli-style idiyappam and local curries.
Confirm the car hire for Sep 20–23 with driver details, daily rate, contact number, fuel and toll policy; ensure driver knows Tiruchendur & Kanyakumari plans so timings are followed.
Start early with a hearty South Indian breakfast (idli, dosa, filter coffee) at your hotel or a local favorite like Saravana Bhavan (many branches open from ~6:00am). Good fuel-up before the waterfalls trip.
A scenic 1.5–2 hour drive to the Western Ghats waterfalls region (Courtallam/Tenkasi area) — ideal for waterfalls, forest walks and nature. Roads are generally good; travel time depends on traffic.
Enjoy the waterfalls and natural baths; Courtallam sees most visitors in the morning when water flow is good. Falls are open all day, but facilities/shops operate ~8:00am–5:00pm. Wear water-friendly shoes and allow 2–3 hours for exploration.
Lunch at a local mess or small restaurant near the falls to sample home-style Tamil cuisine — simple, fresh meals available around noon; many places open 11:00am–3:00pm.
Drive back to Tirunelveli (1.5–2 hours). Stop at the famous Tirunelveli halwa shops to taste/purchase the local sweet speciality; shops usually open through the day.
Try a Chettinad or coastal restaurant in Tirunelveli for spicy Chettinad chicken or regional seafood specialties; restaurants typically serve dinner until 10:00–11:00pm.
Leisurely breakfast at the hotel; final packing and check-out timing planned so you can leave midday for Tiruchendur. Hotels usually serve breakfast from ~7:00–10:00am.
Drive southeast to Tiruchendur (approx 1–1.5 hours depending on route). This sets you up for an afternoon arrival as you requested — tight but manageable drive on good roads.
Have a simple coastal lunch at a local restaurant or mess near the temple; many eateries serve fresh seafood and South Indian meals from late morning through evening.
Visit the famous Tiruchendur Murugan Temple on the shore — the temple typically has split timings and reopens in the afternoon around 3:00pm for evening darshan (timings can vary; verify locally). It’s a major pilgrimage spot with sea-front views.
Depart Tiruchendur for Kanyakumari — the drive is 3–3.5 hours depending on traffic. You’ll arrive in Kanyakumari late evening; check into a hotel facing the sea if possible to be ready for the sunrise.
Late dinner at a seaside restaurant or your hotel; many hotels and restaurants in Kanyakumari serve dinner until ~10:30–11:00pm. Rest early for the sunrise next morning.
Leave the hotel early to reach the main beach/solai (Vivekananda Rock viewpoint area) for sunrise. Estimated sunrise for late September is around 5:40–5:50am — verify exact time closer to the date.
Watch the sunrise at Kanyakumari beach where three seas meet — a memorable experience. The beachfront is open early; ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial operates from ~7:00am (see below) so sunrise viewing does not require the ferry.
If you want the island visit, take the ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial and view the Thiruvalluvar statue (ferry typically runs from ~7:00am to late afternoon; round-trip ferry ticket approx). Book early if you want to go to the island because ferries can get busy.
Check out of the hotel and drive to Nagercoil Junction (approx 30–40 minutes) or Tirunelveli (3–3.5 hours) depending on which train you’ve booked to Chennai. I recommend booking your return train from Nagercoil if possible — it’s closer and saves drive time.
Arrive at Nagercoil Junction with comfortable buffer before your chosen train to Chennai; aim for a train departing after 1:00pm–2:00pm if you want a relaxed morning. If your booked train is from Tirunelveli, plan extra driving time accordingly.
Board your pre-booked train from Nagercoil or Tirunelveli to Chennai. Book confirmed seats in advance and allow the driver time to drop you at the station and handle luggage — recommended train departure in the afternoon/evening gives flexibility after sunrise.