South India Highlights: 17–23 November 2025

Day 1: Arrival in Madurai & Journey to Rameshwaram

Morning: Arrive at Madurai Airport and freshen up. A quick visit to the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple offers a glimpse of Dravidian architecture.

Afternoon: Board a comfortable bus or hire a car for the scenic 3‑hour drive to Rameshwaram, crossing the historic Pamban Bridge. Enjoy lunch en‑route with local Tamil cuisine.

Evening: Check into your hotel in Rameshwaram and unwind with a leisurely stroll along the beach, watching the sunset over the Bay of Bengal.

Day 2: Exploring Rameshwaram

Morning: Visit the sacred Ramanathaswamy Temple, renowned for its long marble corridors and intricate carvings.

Afternoon: Explore the abandoned ruins of Dhanushkodi, a ghost town at the tip of the island, and enjoy panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

Evening: Return to the town for a quiet dinner of fresh seafood, then relax at the hotel.

Day 3: Rameshwaram to Kanyakumari

Morning: Depart early for Kanyakumari (≈ 6‑hour drive). Stop at the coastal town of Thiruvattaru for a brief coffee break.

Afternoon: Arrive in Kanyakumari and settle into your accommodation. Head to the iconic Vivekananda Rock Memorial via a short ferry ride.

Evening: Witness the spectacular sunset from the Sunset Point, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean converge.

Day 4: Discovering Kanyakumari

Morning: Climb up to the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue for sweeping coastal vistas.

Afternoon: Explore the historic Kanyakumari Fort and enjoy a leisurely lunch at a beachfront café.

Evening: Stroll along the promenade, shop for local handicrafts, and dine on traditional South Indian dishes.

Day 5: Kanyakumari to Thiruvananthapuram

Morning: Travel to Thiruvananthapuram (≈ 4‑hour drive), crossing the border into Kerala.

Afternoon: Check into your hotel and visit the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy Temple, famed for its intricate murals and gold‑plated sanctum.

Evening: Relax at the popular Kovalam Beach, enjoying a sunset walk and fresh coconut water.

Day 6: Thiruvananthapuram Highlights & Flight to Lucknow

Morning: Explore the cultural hub of the city with a tour of the Napier Museum and the adjacent Kuthiramalika Palace.

Afternoon: Savor a Kerala‑style lunch at a local restaurant, then wander through the bustling Shankumugham Beach for some final seaside moments.

Evening: Transfer to Thiruvananthapuram Airport for an evening flight to Lucknow, concluding your South Indian adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Meenakshi Amman Temple – 2 hrs – ₹50 entry
• Pamban Bridge (view) – 30 min – Free
• Ramanathaswamy Temple – 3 hrs – ₹30 entry
• Dhanushkodi – 2 hrs – Free
• Vivekananda Rock Memorial – 2 hrs (ferry included) – ₹40
• Sunset Point – 1 hr – Free
• Thiruvalluvar Statue – 1.5 hrs – ₹20
• Kanyakumari Fort – 1 hr – Free
• Padmanabhaswamy Temple – 2 hrs – ₹25 (donation)
• Kovalam Beach – 2 hrs – Free
• Napier Museum – 2 hrs – ₹20
• Kuthiramalika Palace – 1.5 hrs – ₹30
• Shankumugham Beach – 1 hr – Free
• Transportation (buses, car hires, ferry) – 6 hrs total – ₹1,200
• Accommodation (6 nights) – – ₹6,000
• Meals (average ₹300/day) – – ₹2,100
• Flight Madurai → Rameshwaram (if needed) / Thiruvananthapuram → Lucknow – – ₹3,500
• Total Estimated Cost – – ₹13,295

Tips

If you have extra days, consider extending your stay in Kerala to explore nearby attractions such as the backwaters of Alappuzha or the hill stations of Munnar. Conversely, to shorten the trip, you can skip the day trip to Dhanushkodi and combine Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram visits into a single day, focusing on the main landmarks only.