The backwaters of Kerala are a peaceful and serene network of water channels that run adjacent to the coast of the Arabian Sea. With more than 200 km of palm-fringed lagoons, canals and rivers, the labyrinth of channels that forms the Keralan backwaters are a stunning sight to behold and the perfect place to unwind and tune in to the slow pace of life that dawdles here.

By far the most popular way to explore the backwaters is to charter a traditional Keralan Houseboat. The houseboats are made using old-style techniques. Wooden planks are held together with coconut fibres to make the hull, while the roof is constructed out of bamboo poles and palm leaves. The houseboats most certainly have a rustic charm and are a recommended choice if you can afford them! Sadly the price for chartering a houseboat has more than tripled over the last few years and nowadays you’d be lucky to find a boat for less than 10,000 rupees (£120) per night! That said, the boats are often furnished to a pretty high spec and the price typically includes a delicious Keralan meal served up on a banana leaf! Make sure you agree to the terms before booking, as I’ve heard some reports from other travellers that the food has been pretty basic. If you’re paying top dollar, then I think it’s standard to expect tiger prawns and beers be included in the price, so always check upfront exactly what’s being offered before you hand over any money.

If spending a small fortune on a houseboat isn’t your kind of thing, then fear not, as the whole experience is really rather overhyped in my opinion and the sector has become a bit congested recently, with far too many boats fighting for mooring spaces along the popular routes. You might therefore want to be a bit savvy and plan a trip during low season as not only will there be less people, but you’ll have a better chance of negotiating a good deal (low season being April – September).

As an alternative to taking a houseboat, there are several other cheaper (and dare I say even better!) options for you to consider…

As a cheaper alternative, then consider chartering a houseboat for a day trip instead. You could then look to spend the night in a homestay on the waterfront and save a few rupees in the process. The last time I slept on a houseboat, I distinctly remember being attacked by mosquitoes all night and seeing a large spider in my cabin in the morning, which might not be everyone’s idea of fun for a £200 price tag!

Alleppey is the main hub for the backwaters and if you get yourself down to the central ferry terminal, you can then look out for the local public ferry. For just a few rupees you can hop on board, as this service is very much used like a bus by the locals. It will give you a much more authentic experience of life afloat the Keralan backwaters. The downside is that these boats are quite big, meaning they only traverse fixed routes up and down the middle of the main channels, so you won’t get to see the village-life up close.

For a few rupees more than the public ferries are the government-run tourist boats. There are about 5 boats a day, which again run out of the Alleppey main ferry terminal. They also follow a similar route up and down the big channels but the main difference is that they have an open deck on top for sightseeing.

Another cheap option is to take the 8-hour long ferry from Alleppey to Kollam (or vice versa). The boat departs daily from the DTPC boat jetty at 10:30 am and costs 300 rupees (price last checked in 2016). Some people might want to take note that this boat makes a stop along the way at the Matha Amrithanandamayi (Mission of the Hugging Mother). In my opinion, this boat journey is quite long and considering there are no amenities on board, can also become a bit repetitive and tedious after some time.

I save the best option till last and suggest that the greatest way to experience the Keralan backwaters is to rent a small canoe, kayak or what the locals call a Shikara (small motor boat) and take a tour of the narrower canals and lagoons. You might not get all the luxuries of a houseboat, but you will definitely see a lot more and have a great day out. Highly enjoyable!