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Siblings, Nakyu village
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Wild pigeons before Ganesh Himal range
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Buddhist nun Rigdol, Lungdang monastery
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Tsum Valley, at an altitude between 2400m and 4000m above sea level, is a remote area in the Gorkha district. Its northern part ends at the border to Tibet. It takes three to four days of hiking to reach the entrance of the "valley of hapiness". The inhabitants are merely touched by modern developments. They vowed to completely abandon violence against both humans and animals. Some live in polyandry: one wife with two or more husbands. In the 17th century the tsum region was also known as "Beyul Kyimolung", meaning "Hidden valley of happiness". Is this a better way of living? If one believes an ancient buddhist myth: yes. No roads, no electricity, no social media, no distraction - hence plenty of tranquility, work and nature. The way of living in this central himalayan valley seems to be an alternative model to our western civilization. See a short introducing film here.
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Girl, Lokpa village
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Prayer Flags
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Women making hay, Chumling village
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Man with lucky charms
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Phelgyeling Monastery at Milarepa´s cave
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Woman, Chokang Paro village
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Tshewang and Nima Dorze, Chokung Paro
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Together with author Titus Arnu, we spent three weeks in the valley in November 2016. Titus wrote a book about the valley and our experiences which was published by Rowohlt Verlag. The SZ Magazin featured a reportage about our travel.
In fall 2018 the Sieveking Verlag published a photobook with a broad range of my pictures from Tsum Valley.— -
Girl, Rainjam
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High Lama, temporary tent monastery Rainjam
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Worshippers, Rachen Gumpa
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Nuns, Rachen monastery
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Nomad tent at 4000m altitude
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Monk, Mu monastery
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View of Mu Gompa monastery from approx. 4400m
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Buddhist nun Rigdol, Lungdang monastery
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Ganesh Himal mountains
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Women, village Nile
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Village Chule at 3400m
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Upper Tsum Valley, view to the south