Family Friendly 2-Day Itinerary for Thirunalveli, Kanniyakumari, Kerala

1. Day 1: Thirunalveli
   2 hours 45 minutes (94 miles) from Trivandrum International Airport

   Morning: Start by visiting the Thiruvananthapuram Zoo, which is home to over 80 species of animals. You'll see tigers, lions, giraffes, and other exotic animals. The zoo is open from 9:00 AM to 5:15 PM, and admission fees are INR 30 per person.

   Afternoon: Visit the Kanthimathi-Nellaiyapper Temple, a beautiful Hindu temple that is over 1000 years old. The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 12:30 PM and from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

   Evening: End the day by visiting the Vettuvan Koil Temple, which is known for its intricate carvings. The temple is open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free.

2. Day 2: Kanniyakumari
   1 hour 30 minutes (42 miles) from Thirunalveli

   Morning: Start the day by visiting the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which is a monument to the famous Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda. The memorial is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and admission fees are INR 20 per person.

   Afternoon: Continue your tour by visiting the Kanyakumari Beach, which is the southernmost tip of mainland India. You can take a dip in the ocean or walk along the shore.

   Evening: End the day by visiting the Thiruvalluvar Statue, which is a 133-foot-tall stone statue of the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. The statue is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and admission fees are INR 50 per person.

3. Day 3: Kerala
   4 hours 30 minutes (146 miles) from Kanniyakumari

   Morning: Begin the day by visiting the Athirappilly Waterfalls, one of the largest waterfalls in India. You can take a dip in the water or just enjoy the view. The waterfall is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and admission fees are INR 50 per person.

   Afternoon: Visit the Hill Palace Museum, which is a former royal palace that now houses a museum. You can see artifacts from the Cochin royal family and admire the beautiful architecture of the palace. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and admission fees are INR 50 per person.

   Evening: End the day by taking a boat ride in the backwaters of Kerala, which are a network of lagoons and canals. You'll see local village life and enjoy the peaceful scenery. Boat rides typically cost around INR 500 per person.

Recommendations

Other local attractions worth considering include the Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram and the Kovalam Beach. You might also want to take a day trip to the Periyar National Park in Kerala to see elephants and other wildlife. To maximize your fun, try to schedule your itinerary around the opening and closing times of the attractions, and don't forget to bring sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Thiruvananthapuram Zoo (2-3 hours, INR 30 per person)
• Kanthimathi-Nellaiyapper Temple (1-2 hours, free admission)
• Vettuvan Koil Temple (1-2 hours, free admission)
• Vivekananda Rock Memorial (2-3 hours, INR 20 per person)
• Kanyakumari Beach (1-2 hours, free admission)
• Thiruvalluvar Statue (2-3 hours, INR 50 per person)
• Athirappilly Waterfalls (2-3 hours, INR 50 per person)
• Hill Palace Museum (2-3 hours, INR 50 per person)
• Boat ride in the backwaters of Kerala (2-3 hours, INR 500 per person)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 820 per person

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