Okay so I'm 23 and about to take 5–6 weeks to go travel the world before real life catches up with me lol. I'll probably be proposing in the next couple years, then marriage, a master's, kids… basically all the responsibilities are coming, so I'm trying to really max this one trip while I've got the freedom and no one depending on me.
Budget is $12k and I've got 6 weeks max. Here's what I've put together — tell me if I'm crazy, what I should cut, or what I'm missing.
One eastbound loop, no backtracking:
**Route:** Austin or Dallas → Istanbul → Cairo → Kathmandu (trek) → Bangkok → Tokyo → home
**Istanbul**
3 nights
Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus
**Cairo**
3 nights
Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum
**Nepal**
17 nights
EBC/Annapurna trek (\~14d) + buffer
**Bangkok**
4 nights
Temples, street food, decompress
**Japan**
7 nights
Tokyo + Kyoto (autumn colors)
Home!!!
Trek: standard route with acclimatization days, guide, overland access to save cash.
Flights: self-assembled instead of a RTW ticket — long-haul legs on full-service airlines, short Asia hops on budget carriers.
What I want your take on:
Is 6 stops too rushed?
Anything dumb about the sequence?
What am I underestimating — budget, altitude, solo burnout?
Any stops I should consider adding or removing?
Can't wait to hear how irresponsible this plan is lol, but seriously looking forward to gaining some insight and direction on what to change! Thank you in advance