4-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary: Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, and Meghamalai

  1. Day 1: Madurai
    2 hours 30 minutes (93 miles) from Madurai International Airport

    Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the most famous temples in South India featuring intricate carvings and colorful statues. Then, head over to the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, a 17th-century palace with stunning arches and stucco work. End the day with a traditional South Indian dinner at the Murugan Idli Shop.

  2. Day 2: Rameshwaram
    3 hours 30 minutes (106 miles) from Madurai

    Visit the Ramanathaswamy Temple, a large temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with 22 holy wells. Then, head to the Pamban Bridge, India's first sea bridge, for breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. End the day with a sunset visit to the Dhanushkodi Beach, a secluded beach where you can see the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet.

  3. Day 3: Kanyakumari
    6 hours 20 minutes (242 miles) from Rameshwaram

    Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a memorial built on a rock in the sea, dedicated to Swami Vivekananda, one of India's most famous spiritual leaders. Then, visit the Thiruvalluvar Statue, a 133-feet tall statue of the famous Tamil poet and philosopher. End the day with a sunset visit to the Kanyakumari Beach, where you can see the meeting point of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean.

  4. Day 4: Meghamalai
    5 hours 30 minutes (211 miles) from Kanyakumari

    Visit the High Wavy Mountains, a beautiful mountain range with lush green forests and misty hills. Go for a trek to the Suruli Falls, a picturesque waterfall with deep pools. End the day with a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea from the Meghamalai Viewpoint.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Meenakshi Amman Temple (1-2 hours, free)
  • Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace (1-2 hours, INR 50 per person)
  • Murugan Idli Shop (1 hour, INR 250 for a family of four)
  • Ramanathaswamy Temple (1-2 hours, free)
  • Pamban Bridge (30 minutes, free)
  • Dhanushkodi Beach (1-2 hours, free)
  • Vivekananda Rock Memorial (1-2 hours, INR 50 per person)
  • Thiruvalluvar Statue (30 minutes, INR 20 per person)
  • Kanyakumari Beach (1-2 hours, free)
  • High Wavy Mountains (3-4 hours, free)
  • Suruli Falls (2-3 hours, INR 20 per person)
  • Meghamalai Viewpoint (30 minutes, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 730 per person/person per day

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the Madurai Government Museum or the Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai. You can also take a boat ride to the Thirparappu Falls near Kanyakumari. If you have less time, you can skip the Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanyakumari.

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