The Dolpo-Pa live in the Himalayas. The barren soil of their mountain plateau can barely feed them. That is why they transport salt on yaks to distant valleys via routes that are thousands of years old. The arduous treks at 5000 meters above sea level over the steep mountains demand the utmost from the Dolpo-Pa. The old, charismatic Tinle refuses to let the young Karma lead the yak caravan because he holds him responsible for the death of his son. But Karma defies the shaman's oracle and Tinle's anger. He sets off with the caravan before the predetermined day. And the young villagers follow him. Against all reason, Tinle decides to set off on the date determined by the gods and catch up with Karma.
As the denizens of a Tibetan village prepare for their arduous annual trek to exchange salt for grain, the community's allegiances are split.
The Dolpo-Pa live in the Himalayas. The barren soil of their mountain plateau can barely feed them. That is why they transport salt on yaks to distant valleys via routes that are thousands of years old.
The arduous treks at 5000 meters above sea level over the steep mountains demand the utmost from the Dolpo-Pa. The old, charismatic Tinle refuses to let the young Karma lead the yak caravan because he holds him responsible for the death of his son. But Karma defies the shaman's oracle and Tinle's anger.
He sets off with the caravan before the predetermined day. And the young villagers follow him. Against all reason, Tinle decides to set off on the date determined by the gods and catch up with Karma.