Your driver meets you in Thiruvananthapuram. After a quick breakfast, drive up the MC road to Chadayamangalam and ride the cable car to the giant Jatayu bird on its rock hill. Then on to Kollam for a late lunch, the red and white Thangassery Lighthouse and the old Portuguese fort by the sea. About 100 km, 3 hours of driving.
- 9:00 AM
Pickup at Thiruvananthapuram airport or Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station
Your driver meets you when you land or arrive. Times below assume a 9:00 AM pickup. If yours is later, we move the day to fit.
- 15 min · 6 km
- 9:20 AM
Breakfast near Thampanoor
Appam and stew, puttu and kadala or a masala dosa near the railway station. Keep it quick, the hill is waiting.
- 1 h 33 min · 54 km
- 11:20 AM1
Jatayu Earth's Center
2 h hereThe world's largest bird sculpture, on a rock hill about 350 m up. A Swiss made cable car takes you up, or you can climb 826 steps. Open 10 AM to 5:30 PM. The cable car can stop in strong wind or heavy rain. Carry some cash, and a cap for the open rock top.
- 1 h 10 min · 42 km
- 2:30 PM
Lunch in Kollam
A late lunch in the town centre. Kerala meals, fish curry or a veg plate. Carry a snack for the drive down from Jatayu.
- 8 min · 3 km
- 3:30 PM2
Thangassery Lighthouse
45 min hereA 144 foot red and white lighthouse from 1902. Climb up for a wide view of the sea, the harbour and the town. Open 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM, closed on Mondays. Small ticket at the gate.
- 4:25 PM3
Thangassery Fort
30 min hereThe red laterite ruins of St Thomas Fort, built by the Portuguese in 1517. Free, a short walk from the lighthouse. Watch the fishing boats come in at the breakwater nearby.
- 20 min · 8 km
- 5:30 PM
Check in at your hotel
Relax by the lake. Dinner at your hotel or in town. Tomorrow starts early, around 6 AM, for the canoe ride.
