Trivandrum & Kanyakumari Itinerary... Help needed

Hi
I am planning to see a little bit of Kanyakumari and Trivandrum during the long weekend on Independence Day, this is the plan

Aug 15: Reach Kanyakumari early in the morning after taking a train the previous evening from Chennai. Do local sightseeing in Kanyakumari and leave for Trivandrum before dusk. Hopefully we want to visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace on the way

Aug 16: Do sightseeing in Trivandrum and leave for Varkala to spend the night there

Aug 17: Return to Trivandrum by night to take the flight to Chennai

Here are my questions

1. What time in the evening does Padmanabhapuram Palace shut down?

2. Websites mention too many places to visit in and around Trivandrum. I am thinking of visiting Kovalam beach and Neyyar dam so far. Any other nice places to be added to the list?

3. How much would it cost me to hire a taxi (say like Indica, for 4 people) from Kanyakumari to Trivandrum?

4. How much would it cost me to hire a taxi from Trivandrum to Varkala?

5. I know it’s August, but is the weather really bad during this time or shall I just go ahead betting on my luck?

It's a pity that you don't plan to stay in Kanyakumari for the sunset/sunrise.

You could leave next day in the morning, and on the way to Trivandrum you can visit Suchindram temple and Padmanabapuram palace.

You can spend the rest of the day in Trivandrum and around, and stay in Kovalam for the night. Or go to Varkala and spend the night there.

Kovalam and Varkala are different, but personally I would leave one of them out, otherwise you will just rush around.

Never been to Neyyar dam, so can't advise. If you are Hindu, visit the big temple in Trivandrum (if not, you are only allowed outside).

Palace is closed at 5 pm - so I'm agree with federica, it's better to stay at Kanyakumari for the night - you can see sunset and even sunrise - and than start to Trivandrum, visiting Palace by the road - it's open at 9 am.

Thanks Federica and Wichy, will stay back in Kanyakumari for the night. Actually that was on the back on my mind and now you confirmed it.

I am not a big temple fan but will visit it if there good photo opportunities, otherwise will skip it. Are there any?

Can someone recommend which is better, staying @ Kovalam or Varkala? Although after seeing the photos I personally liked Varkala better.

I still haven't gone through the Hotels section, but still any good Hotel recommendations for these places, budget around 1.2K should be fine... and If I can get sea facing rooms that'll be great

Maybe you can take the Kovalam/Varkala decision depending on your itinerary. Kovalam is very close to Trivandrum, for Varkala you have to travel 45 min extra by train (no idea about taxi).

I think there are several threads on this topic. It's a personal decision.

Pictures in temples:
I liked to take pictures of the people outside of the temple in Trivandrum, as I was not allowed inside. So no idea, whether you can take pics there. I guess you are not allowed. It's just one of the main sites of Trivandrum.

Forget about photo, you are not even allowed to wear your shirt inside. And you have to wear a white mundu, no jeans/pants/lungi/shorts.

...but you'll get it at the entrance, maybe at the same place where you have to leave your camera

Of the two, I prefer Varkala. You are going during the monsoon season, so it could be quite wet. But I have heard that Kerala is getting a very "dry" monsoon this year, so you may be lucky.

Taxi from Kanyakumari to Trivandrum about Rs 1500. From Trivandrum to Varkala about Rs 1000.

Thanks everyone, it looks like I may have to skip Trivandrum. I am landing at Kanyakumari around 7AM. What is the earliest time I can visit Vivekananda Rock memorial and Tiruvalluvar statue? After that I am planning to visit Pechiparai Reservoir, which is 75 km from Kanyakumari and then I have to return to the Cape for the sunset.

As I know, Vivekananda Rock memorial is open at 7 AM - so you can start early

Well then can you recommend some restaurants that serve excellent seafood fare in Kanyakumari, Trivandrum and Varkala?