Plan 01
1 day in Kollam
- 01
Day 1: Lake, lighthouse and sunset
Start at the Kollam boat jetty in the morning for a two to three hour boat trip on Ashtamudi Lake, looking at the Chinese fishing nets and mangroves. After lunch and a rest, drive to Thangassery for the lighthouse, fort ruins and old church, then walk the breakwater or Kollam Beach for sunset.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Ashtamudi Lake 2–3 hours on the water; a full day for a longer cruise Easy Early morning or late afternoon; December to February for dry weather Thangassery 2–3 hours Moderate Late afternoon into sunset; October to March is comfortable Kollam Beach 1–2 hours Easy Late afternoon to sunset; avoid monsoon months for the sea Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Thangassery: Mostly flat walking, but the lighthouse involves a long climb of stairs and is not suited to people with knee or heart problems. Seating along the breakwater and beach is limited; carry water.
Plan 02
2 days in Kollam
- 01
Day 1: Ashtamudi and Munroe Island
Take a boat on Ashtamudi Lake in the morning, continue to Munroe Island for a canoe ride through the canals and a village lunch, and return in the afternoon. Rest, then walk Asramam Maidan or drive to Thangassery for the sunset.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Munroe Island Half a day Easy Early morning or late afternoon; December to February Ashtamudi Lake 2–3 hours on the water; a full day for a longer cruise Easy Early morning or late afternoon; December to February for dry weather Thangassery 2–3 hours Moderate Late afternoon into sunset; October to March is comfortable Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Thangassery: Mostly flat walking, but the lighthouse involves a long climb of stairs and is not suited to people with knee or heart problems. Seating along the breakwater and beach is limited; carry water.
- 02
Day 2: Hills or coast
Drive east to Chadayamangalam for Jatayu Earth's Center by cable car, then continue towards Thenmala for boating and the butterfly park if time allows. Alternatively head north to Oachira and Sasthamkotta Lake for a temple-and-lake day.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Jatayu Earth's Center 3–4 hours Moderate Dry months, morning start Sasthamkotta Lake 1–2 hours Easy Mornings and evenings; dry months Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Jatayu Earth's Center: A long climb of 826 steps is the alternative to the cable car, which has a separate ticket; seniors should take the cable car and expect uneven paths and heat on the rock.
Plan 03
3 days in Kollam
- 01
Day 1: Thangassery and the beaches
Visit the lighthouse and fort ruins at Thangassery in the morning, rest at midday, then walk Kollam Beach and drive to Thirumullavaram for a quieter evening by the sea and its temple.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Thangassery 2–3 hours Moderate Late afternoon into sunset; October to March is comfortable Kollam Beach 1–2 hours Easy Late afternoon to sunset; avoid monsoon months for the sea Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Thangassery: Mostly flat walking, but the lighthouse involves a long climb of stairs and is not suited to people with knee or heart problems. Seating along the breakwater and beach is limited; carry water.
- 02
Day 2: Backwaters
Spend the day on Ashtamudi Lake and Munroe Island, or take the long cruise to Alappuzha if you are travelling onwards.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Ashtamudi Lake 2–3 hours on the water; a full day for a longer cruise Easy Early morning or late afternoon; December to February for dry weather Munroe Island Half a day Easy Early morning or late afternoon; December to February Pace: All the stops today are easy on the legs.
- 03
Day 3: Eastern hills
Drive to Jatayu Earth's Center early, then on to Thenmala and Palaruvi Falls, returning to Kollam in the evening.
Stop Time needed Walking Best time Jatayu Earth's Center 3–4 hours Moderate Dry months, morning start Palaruvi Falls 1–2 hours Moderate After monsoon rains; check water flow and safety Pace: Moderate walking today — plan a sit-down break between stops.
With parents at Jatayu Earth's Center: A long climb of 826 steps is the alternative to the cable car, which has a separate ticket; seniors should take the cable car and expect uneven paths and heat on the rock.
With parents at Palaruvi Falls: The approach involves walking and steps over uneven, slippery surfaces. Older visitors should check access beforehand and wear shoes with good grip.
Read before you go
Guides for the stops on these routes
Pacing
Pacing a Kollam trip for parents and children
- Choose a covered boat with seating and ask the crew to help with boarding; gangways can be steep or uneven.
- Take the cable car, not the 826 steps, at Jatayu Earth's Center, and skip the lighthouse stairs if your knees complain.
- Avoid June to July, when the rain is heaviest and sea and lake conditions can be rough.
- Hire a car with a driver for Thenmala, Palaruvi and Oachira; public transport to the hills is slow.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, carry a hat and plan a midday rest; the coast is humid even in winter.
- Avoid the densest crowds on Kollam Pooram day and Karkkidaka Vavu at Thirumullavaram unless you specifically want to see them.
Book the pieces
Stay close to the route
Pick a base near the first day's sights. Our guide to where to stay in Kollam compares the areas.
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