Never have I had such an experience as a traveler and, I must say, it was a pleasure. Zooming into Nepal with a gut swelled by inlaw cooking and desk jockeying, I was somewhat uncertain of my physical ability to hand 4000 foot ascents and descents, and to bop around above 5000 meters in elevation. While it proved to be no picnic, going the plush route with guide, cook and porters helped immensely. Nor is it necessarily recommended. If you want to do it all on your own, climbing the steep grades with full pack, you can.
Steps are common on steep sections.
It pays, however, to have as good a map as you can find, and to be willing to ask for directions. Usually, they are located perfectly for planning a day's walk. Many guest houses are short on bedding so packing a sleeping bag is a good idea. Ask yourself if your gear will allow you to stay safe if you sprain your ankle on an exposed slope in the late afternoon and a hard, cold rain hits. Let's say your willing to spend a few dollars to enjoy the benefits of some trip support.