The Last Yak Caravan: A British Artist's Himalayan Journey

Mala and her friends here have asked me to tell my story. I am an adventure and ethnographic artist from the UK, drawn to humanity and to those who live in the most remote parts of the world. What I capture in my work is the human spirit, stories of survival, and the delicate bond between people and nature. I am seeking out the last remaining nomadic peoples on Earth. Many of these nomadic communities in far-off wild places can never be photographed the same way again, since both their landscapes and their traditional ways of life are changing quickly.

Having already spent a few months with the Tibetan people of the Chang Tang Plateau in Ladakh—on the Indian side of the border—I consider myself deeply fortunate. During the depths of winter, amidst snow-covered peaks, the vast mountain slopes carry the rhythm of an ancient way of life and pure survival. This record now holds historical and archival significance, for as a visual legacy it will serve as a memory for the next generation of nomads, who may never experience their own nomadic existence.

For over a thousand years, the Dolpo-pa people of Nepal have made a biannual trek that serves as the Himalaya's lifeblood. Tinley of the Dolpo-Pa led one of the world's final nomadic yak caravans across the Nepalese Himalaya, embodying a deep harmony with his land. I was privileged to know and travel alongside this extraordinary legend, who inspired his community and everyone he encountered with his curiosity, warmth, and generosity—a truly rare spirit.

Between the Dropk-pa of Tibet and the Rong-pa of Southern Nepal, high-altitude traders pursue the ancient grain-salt trade, transporting daily necessities across the mountains.

Having gained an intimate understanding of a nomadic lifestyle that holds profound respect for nature and leaves a minimal environmental footprint, I have been extraordinarily fortunate. This closeness has produced rare and extraordinary encounters as well as lifelong friendships. Some of my photographs are shared here: My Nomadic People Project—The Moken People – Nomads of the Ocean in the Mergui Archipelago, The Mongolian Nomads of the South Gobi Desert in Mongolia, and The Sami People – Nomads of the Arctic.

I am currently in China for a few weeks, intending to travel into the remote Tibetan wilderness of Sichuan and Qinghai. My entire nomad project has been shaped by “empathy”—the connections and friendships I build along the way. I feel a deep responsibility for how we treat our planet and for how I conduct my own life. Because climate change is the defining issue of my generation, using photography to support the protection of our world feels profoundly important.

I have always been led by my heart. Passion, curiosity, intuition, and empathy are what I choose, as I strive to explore, learn, and share as much as I can about the world and my place in it. The Tibetan people are truly remarkable—their resilience, way of life, and inescapable survival inspire awe in me.

For a woman to travel alone as an artist through these remote, wild regions remains quite uncommon. Yet I believe that being a strong, independent woman brings both tenacity and sensitivity, which in turn can open the door to moments of human effort that are seldom revealed. My encouragement to women is to pursue what their hearts and passions call them toward, and to join a worldwide community of those who share similar values—people who uplift and strengthen one another. I am always glad to connect with you.