A 5-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary in Tamil Nadu in July 2023

1. Day 1: Kanyakumari
   2 hours 30 minutes (93.5 miles) from Trivandrum International Airport

   In the morning, explore the Kanyakumari beach and its attractions, including the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue. For lunch, try the local South Indian cuisine at The Ocean Heritage. In the afternoon, visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace, a 16th-century wooden palace complex. End the day with a beautiful sunset view at the Kanyakumari Beach.

2. Day 2: Thanjavur
   6 hours 10 minutes (205 miles) from Kanyakumari

   In the morning, visit the Brihadeeswarar Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site and marvel at the magnificent architecture. Grab lunch at the popular Sathars restaurant. In the afternoon, head to the Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji’s Sarasvati Mahal Library, which houses a rare collection of books and manuscripts. For dinner, try the traditional South Indian cuisine at Rakesh Restaurant in the city center.

3. Day 3: Mahabalipuram
   4 hours 30 minutes (157 miles) from Thanjavur

   In the morning, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mahabalipuram and explore its ancient temples and monuments, including the Shore Temple and Pancha Rathas. Grab lunch at the Moonrakers Restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Crocodile Bank, a conservation center for reptiles, and witness the feeding session. End the day with a beautiful sunset view at the Mahabalipuram beach.

4. Day 4: Ooty
   7 hours 30 minutes (273 miles) from Mahabalipuram

   In the morning, take the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from Coimbatore to Ooty, which offers breathtaking views of the hills. Grab lunch at the popular Earl's Secret restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the Botanical Gardens, a popular tourist spot. For dinner, try the local South Indian cuisine at Shinkow's Chinese Restaurant in the city center.

5. Day 5: Coonoor
   1 hour (20.5 miles) from Ooty

   In the morning, take a scenic drive to Coonoor and visit the Sim's Park, a botanical garden with various species of plants. Grab lunch at the popular Cafe Diem. In the afternoon, visit the Highfield Tea Factory, which offers a tour of the tea-making process. End the day at the Lambs Rock, a viewpoint offering a panoramic view of the hills.

Recommendations

You might also consider visiting the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Coonoor, which offers a scenic train ride through the mountains. Another option is visiting the Madurai Meenakshi Temple, a historic temple complex in Madurai. You could also take a side trip to Puducherry, a former French colony with beautiful beaches and historic sites. To maximize your fun, try to plan your itinerary in advance to avoid long travel hours and take breaks in between. Remember to pack light and carry comfortable shoes.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Kanyakumari Beach (2 hours, free)
• Vivekananda Rock Memorial (1 hour, INR 50)
• Thiruvalluvar Statue (1 hour, INR 20)
• The Ocean Heritage (1 hour, INR 300 for two)
• Padmanabhapuram Palace (2 hours, INR 50)
• Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple (2 hours, INR 250)
• Sathars Restaurant (1 hour, INR 400 for two)
• Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji’s Sarasvati Mahal Library (2 hours, INR 50)
• Rakesh Restaurant (1 hour, INR 500 for two)
• Mahabalipuram UNESCO World Heritage Site (3 hours, INR 40)
• Moonrakers Restaurant (1 hour, INR 700 for two)
• Crocodile Bank (1 hour, INR 30)
• Botanical Gardens (2 hours, INR 30)
• Earl's Secret restaurant (1 hour, INR 1000 for two)
• Highfield Tea Factory (2 hours, INR 100)
• Cafe Diem (1 hour, INR 500 for two)
• Lambs Rock (1 hour, free)
• Total Estimated Costs (15 hours, INR 3370)