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6-Day South India Pilgrimage & Coastal Loop: Kolkata → Tirupati → Madurai → Rameshwaram → Kanyakumari → Kolkata

Viewed by 118 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & Darshan

Tirupati, India on October 23, 2025

6:30am

Breakfast — Flurys or airport alternative (Kolkata)

Start with a hearty Kolkata breakfast at Flurys on Park Street (if you depart later) or pick a reliable airport cafe before your morning flight; Kolkata flavours are energizing for travel.
INR700, 0h30m

8:00am

Flight: Kolkata to Tirupati

Morning flight to Tirupati (TIR). Flight time ~2.5–3h depending on routing; book early for best fares and to maximize the day.
INR4000, 3h0m

11:15am

Hotel check-in & freshen up

Check into a hotel in Tirupati town; rest, deposit luggage and prepare for the hill-trip to Tirumala if your darshan is scheduled later in the day.
INR0, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Sangeetha Veg Restaurant (Tirupati)

South Indian vegetarian thali or dosa at a dependable chain like Sangeetha keeps things light and fast before temple travel.
INR400, 1h0m

2:00pm

Transfer to Tirumala (Tirupati → Tirumala)

Drive or bus up the hill to Tirumala (approx 40–60 minutes by car or 1–1.5h by bus depending on traffic); carry ID for temple booking verification.
INR150, 1h0m

3:30pm

Sri Venkateswara Temple (Tirumala) — Darshan

The main attraction — a visit to Lord Venkateswara’s shrine; darshan timings vary and can run early morning to late evening with breaks, so confirm ticketed darshan slots on the TTD portal before you travel.
INR0, 2h0m

6:00pm

Return to Tirupati town

Descend to Tirupati town, shop for prasadam (laddus) and temple souvenirs; rest at hotel.
INR150, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Hotel Sri Venkateshwara / Local South-Indian Thali

Enjoy a simple, comforting dinner of sambar, rasam and rice or dosa; many hotels and restaurants near the bus/rail station serve fresh local food.
INR350, 1h0m

10:00pm

Prepare for overnight / free time

Confirm next-day transport to Madurai (book train/flight); get a good rest for an early start or overnight journey.
INR0, 0h30m

Day 2: Tirupati Local & Transit

Tirupati → Overnight to Madurai, India on October 24, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast — A2B / Local Tiffin House (Tirupati)

Light south-Indian breakfast (idli, vada, filter coffee) to fuel a morning in town; many chains like A2B (Adyar Ananda Bhavan) are reliable.
INR250, 0h45m

7:30am

Govindaraja Swamy Temple (Tirupati town)

Historic temple in Tirupati town with regular pujas; visiting the town temple offers a quieter, local experience compared with Tirumala. Typical hours: early morning to evening—check local schedule.
INR0, 1h0m

9:00am

Visit local markets & laddoo shops

Walk the market near Tirupati temple complex for prasadam laddus and brass handicrafts; good place to buy gifts and offerings.
INR200, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Sree Krishna Sweets / Local Mess

Try a wholesome South-Indian meal — vegetarian thali is economical and filling for the journey ahead.
INR300, 1h0m

3:30pm

Free time / hotel check-out

Pack and relax; if you prefer, take a room for a midday rest. Confirm boarding for the overnight train to Madurai (recommended option) or a connecting flight if available.
INR0, 1h30m

7:00pm

Board overnight train: Tirupati → Madurai

Overnight train takes about 8–10 hours depending on service; sleeping on train saves a day and arrives early in Madurai. Book AC sleeper for comfort.
INR600, 9h0m

Day 3: Madurai Temples

Madurai, India on October 25, 2025

4:30am

Arrival & transfer to hotel (Madurai)

Arrive early and check into hotel; grab tea and rest briefly before morning temple rituals.
INR0, 0h45m

6:00am

Breakfast — Murugan Idli Shop (Madurai)

A classic Madurai start: soft idlis and filter coffee; this chain is famous for quick, authentic breakfasts.
INR150, 0h45m

7:30am

Meenakshi Amman Temple — Morning Aarti & Exploration

The iconic temple complex with stunning gopurams and daily rituals; typical darshan/schedule has morning hours (~5:30am–12:30pm) and evening services—check current timings for special pujas.
INR0, 2h0m

10:30am

Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

A 17th-century palace with impressive architecture and an evening sound-and-light show (if running); general visiting hours are roughly 9:00am–5:30pm — confirm current schedule.
INR100, 1h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — Sree Sabarees / Local Chettinad cuisine

Try Madurai specialities and Chettinad flavours at a recommended local restaurant; rich curries pair well with rice or parotta.
INR400, 1h0m

3:00pm

Gandhi Memorial Museum

Well-curated museum on Madurai’s modern history and Gandhi’s influence in Tamil Nadu; typical hours ~9:30am–6:00pm — check before visiting.
INR50, 1h0m

5:30pm

Evening darshan / explore Meenakshi temple again

Return to the temple for evening rituals and to see the gopurams lit up; evening sessions normally from ~4:00pm onward.
INR0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — The Modern / Local Non-veg Specialities

Madurai is known for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Chettinad cuisine — choose a reputable restaurant for a full south-Indian dinner.
INR500, 1h0m

Day 4: Madurai → Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram, India on October 26, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast — Hotel or Murugan Idli Shop (Madurai)

Early breakfast to suit a road transfer; packing light for the coastal leg helps with short intercity drives.
INR250, 0h45m

7:00am

Drive Madurai → Rameshwaram

Road trip ~3–4 hours (approx 170–190 km) via Ramanathapuram; scenic as you approach Pamban island. Depart early to maximize time in Rameshwaram.
INR1500, 4h0m

11:30am

Check-in & quick lunch — Hotel Saravana Bhavan (Rameshwaram)

Check into your hotel and have a restorative lunch; many hotels serve both vegetarian and seafood options near the beach.
INR400, 1h0m

1:30pm

Ramanathaswamy Temple — Main Visit

Famous for its long corridors and 22 holy wells (theerthams); temple generally open early morning through the evening (commonly 4:00am–10:00pm) but verify for special puja times.
INR0, 2h0m

4:00pm

Pamban Bridge / Viewpoint & Dhanushkodi (optional)

Photograph the historic Pamban Bridge and visit Dhanushkodi (the ghost-town at the island tip) if road conditions permit — Dhanushkodi is open outdoors all day, but avoid after dusk because of limited facilities.
INR300, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — Hotel Saravana Bhavan / Local seafood

Rameshwaram has simple coastal seafood and classic South-Indian vegetarian options; choose a well-reviewed hotel restaurant for hygiene and taste.
INR450, 1h0m

Day 5: Rameshwaram → Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari, India on October 27, 2025

6:00am

Sunrise / Morning Puja at Rameshwaram beach

Optional early beach walk or dip in Agni Theertham as pilgrims often do; morning sea breeze is refreshing before a long drive.
INR0, 0h45m

7:30am

Breakfast — Local tiffin house

Simple breakfast before departure; choose a place recommended by your hotel for freshness.
INR200, 0h45m

8:30am

Drive Rameshwaram → Kanyakumari (via Ramanathapuram)

Long scenic drive (~5–6 hours, ~300 km) hugging southern Tamil Nadu roads; start early and plan a fuel/tea stop halfway in Nagercoil/Ramanathapuram.
INR2000, 6h0m

2:30pm

Check-in & Lunch — Hotel Sea-facing restaurant

Arrive Kanyakumari, check into a seafront hotel and have a coastal lunch — fresh vegetarian and seafood options available depending on preference.
INR500, 1h0m

4:00pm

Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Thiruvalluvar Statue (ferry)

Take the ferry to Vivekananda Rock Memorial and visit the nearby Thiruvalluvar statue; ferry typically runs ~7:00am–5:30pm — confirm first/last ferry times and weather conditions.
INR300, 1h30m

5:45pm

Sunset at Kanyakumari Beach

Iconic sunset views where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean meet — arrive early to secure a good viewpoint.
INR0, 1h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Hotel Seaview / Local coastal restaurant

Enjoy a relaxed dinner with coastal cuisine or South-Indian favourites; many seafront hotels serve excellent seafood and thali options.
INR600, 1h0m

Day 6: Sunrise & Return

Kanyakumari → Kolkata (via Trivandrum), India on October 28, 2025

5:30am

Sunrise & Kumari Amman Temple

Optional early sunrise viewing and brief visit to Kumari Amman Temple (open early morning); be mindful of dress and temple rules.
INR0, 1h0m

7:30am

Breakfast — Hotel / Seafront cafe

Final coastal breakfast; pack and check out early to reach Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) airport for return flight.
INR300, 0h45m

9:00am

Transfer Kanyakumari → Trivandrum Airport

Drive ~2–2.5 hours to Trivandrum (Trivandrum International Airport, TVM). Aim to arrive 2 hours before your flight to Kolkata.
INR2000, 2h30m

12:30pm

Flight: Trivandrum → Kolkata

Midday flight back to Kolkata (~2–2.5 hours); book a direct flight for convenience and to avoid an overnight journey.
INR4500, 2h30m

3:30pm

Arrival in Kolkata & Dinner Recommendation

Arrive home or check-in at a Kolkata hotel. For a celebratory final dinner try Oh! Calcutta or 6 Ballygunge Place for classic Bengali cuisine and seafood.
INR800, 1h30m

8:00pm

Trip wrap-up / Rest

Unpack, rest and reflect on the pilgrimage and coastal leg; save photos and receipts while memories are fresh.
INR0, 0h30m
0
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