I’m planning to leave for Nepal in late December and to stay for at least 14 days. While I’m there, I want to do at least 10 days of trekking in the Annapurna region and spend a few days experiencing the local culture in Kathmandu and Pokhara as well. I’d considered booking a trek with Imperial Nepal, for which I’ve seen several good reviews– but I wanted to see if anyone had other advice for me. What are the essentials I need to bring other than cold weather & water purification gear? What should I expect from the trekking experience? Is it better to book a private guide and porter, rather than with a third party entity like Imperial Nepal? I’m open to any advice from experienced travelers to the region!