The Epic Kristi Village Hike: Hills, Thrills and Insane Mountain Views

If you're looking for a seriously incredible day hike that blends mind-blowing mountain scenery with a genuine taste of rural Nepali life, the Kristi Village trail needs to be at the very top of your list! This moderately challenging trek takes you winding through adorable villages, orange orchards, and up close and personal with some of the biggest, peaks in the mighty Annapurna range.

The trail gradually climbs uphill through a patchwork of farms growing all sorts of crops on precise terraced fields built into the slopes. The higher you go, the better the views get of massive snow-capped beasts like Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu straight up dominating the horizon.

Eventually, you'll arrive at the village of Kristi itself, home to wonderfully friendly people. This is about as traditional as it gets - stone houses with intricately hand-carved wooden windows, farmers tending to crops, and locals dressed up in their full cultural finest. You might even be lucky enough to stumble right into some kind of festival or ceremony taking place.

After all that uphill climbing, you'll have earned a hearty lunch like only the Nepalis know how to do it right. I'm talking fresh trout pulled straight from the ice-cold rivers, and savory potato hash browns, all washed down with a big frosty beer. Nothing beats refueling with that insane view of the mountains and valleys sprawled out in front of you!

For those looking to extend the epic adventure, you can add on side trips like visiting the chilled-out, peaceful Osho Tapoban park or checking out the glassy, mirror-like lakes of Begnas and Fewa for mind-melting reflections of the Annapurna range.

But just taking on the classic Kristi Village hike alone is an experience you won't soon forget. Incredible, jaw-dropping mountain scenery, getting a real authentic slice of rural village life, fresh air, and downright delicious eats - it's the total Nepal trekking package wrapped up in one mellow day out from Pokhara. Lace-up those boots and get ready for some seriously high-altitude awesomeness!