Scenic South India Road Trip: Tiptur to Kanyakumari via Coimbatore, Alleppey, and More

Day 1: Tiptur to Coimbatore

Tiptur to Coimbatore, India on May 6, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Tiptur

Enjoy a hearty South Indian breakfast with fresh idlis and filter coffee at Sri Krishna Bhavan, a local favorite.
INR100, 1h0m

9:30am

Drive to Coimbatore

Begin a scenic drive south-east towards Coimbatore, known for its textile industry and pleasant climate; the journey takes approximately 5 hours covering around 300km.
INR3000 (fuel cost approx.), 5h0m

2:30pm

Lunch at Coimbatore

Have a delicious lunch at Shree Anandhaas, famous for authentic Tamil vegetarian meals.
INR350, 1h0m

4:00pm

Visit Marudamalai Temple

Explore this hill temple dedicated to Lord Murugan; open until 7pm, it offers a peaceful atmosphere and panoramic views of Coimbatore.
Free, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner in Coimbatore

Dine at the iconic Cotton County restaurant to enjoy local Chettinad and Tamil Nadu cuisines.
INR600, 1h0m

Day 2: Coimbatore to Alleppey

Coimbatore to Alleppey, India on May 7, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Coimbatore

Have a quick and tasty breakfast at Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant featuring South Indian staples.
INR150, 45m

7:45am

Drive to Alleppey

Embark on a picturesque 6-hour road trip to Alleppey, famous for its backwaters and houseboats.
INR3500 (fuel approx.), 6h0m

2:00pm

Lunch at Alleppey

Enjoy fresh Kerala seafood and traditional meals at Thaff, a popular local restaurant.
INR400, 1h0m

3:30pm

Backwater Houseboat Experience

Check into a houseboat for an afternoon cruise through the tranquil Alleppey backwaters; the experience lasts about 3 hours and is a must-see.
INR3000, 3h0m

7:00pm

Dinner on Houseboat

Savor traditional Kerala-style dinner freshly prepared on the houseboat while enjoying the serene water views.
Included in houseboat cost, 1h0m

Day 3: Alleppey to Ashtamudi and Varkala

Alleppey to Ashtamudi to Varkala, India on May 8, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Alleppey

Have a refreshing breakfast at Halais Restaurant known for appams and stew.
INR200, 45m

8:00am

Drive to Ashtamudi

Head a short 1.5-hour drive to Ashtamudi Lake, renowned for its scenic backwaters and houseboat cruises.
INR500 (fuel), 1h30m

9:30am

Explore Ashtamudi Backwaters

Take a boat ride on Ashtamudi Lake to admire the lush landscape and local village life; open all day.
INR1000, 2h0m

12:00pm

Drive to Varkala

Continue south 2 hours by road to the coastal town of Varkala, famous for cliffs and beaches.
INR800 (fuel), 2h0m

2:00pm

Lunch at Varkala

Dine at Cliff House Restaurant to enjoy fresh seafood with stunning views of Varkala cliff and beach.
INR500, 1h0m

3:30pm

Relax at Varkala Beach

Spend your afternoon relaxing on the sandy Varkala Beach, well-known for its natural spring and sunset views.
Free, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Darjeeling Cafe

Enjoy a blend of Indian and continental dishes at the cozy Darjeeling Cafe overlooking the cliff.
INR450, 1h0m

Day 4: Varkala to Jatayu Earth Center & Trivandrum

Varkala to Jatayu Earth Center to Thiruvananthapuram, India on May 9, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at Varkala

Start with a traditional South Indian breakfast at Coffee Temple, popular for dosas and filter coffee.
INR200, 45m

8:30am

Drive to Jatayu Earth Center

Travel about 1.5 hours east to the Jatayu Earth's Center, home to the world's largest bird sculpture and adventure park.
INR700 (fuel), 1h30m

10:00am

Visit Jatayu Earth Center

Explore the rock sculpture and adventure activities open from 10am to 5pm; it's an inspiring cultural and adventure destination.
INR500, 3h0m

1:00pm

Drive to Thiruvananthapuram

Proceed 1 hour south to Kerala's capital city, Thiruvananthapuram, known for its temples and museums.
INR300 (fuel), 1h0m

2:00pm

Lunch at Thiruvananthapuram

Relish a traditional Kerala meal at Zam Zam Restaurant, famous for its biryani and Malabar delicacies.
INR350, 1h0m

3:30pm

Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Tour this renowned temple open till 6pm for its stunning Dravidian architecture and religious significance; dress code applies.
Free, 1h30m

5:30pm

Dinner at Castle Residency Restaurant

End your day with flavorful Kerala dishes and seafood specialities in a comfortable setting.
INR500, 1h0m

Day 5: Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari

Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari, India on May 10, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at Thiruvananthapuram

Enjoy a light breakfast at Indian Coffee House, noted for simple South Indian fare and strong coffee.
INR150, 45m

8:00am

Drive to Kanyakumari

Travel south approximately 2 hours to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of mainland India, known for its unique sunrise and sunset views over three oceans.
INR500 (fuel), 2h0m

10:00am

Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Take a short ferry ride to this memorial on a small island dedicated to Swami Vivekananda; the ferry operates from 9am to 5pm.
INR120 (ferry fare), 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch at Hotel Seaview

Dine at the beach-facing Hotel Seaview offering fresh seafood and coastal Kerala cuisine.
INR500, 1h0m

2:00pm

Explore Thiruvalluvar Statue

View this giant statue of Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar located adjacent to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial; open daylight hours.
Free, 30m

3:00pm

Relax at Kanyakumari Beach

Spend a calm afternoon enjoying the beach, famous for its blend of sunrise and sunset over the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and Bay of Bengal.
Free, 2h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Saravana Bhavan

Treat yourself to authentic South Indian vegetarian dishes in a well-known, clean eatery.
INR350, 1h0m