A victim of the Nepal earthquake is cremated in a traditional Bhuddist funeral ceremony in the village of Thame, in the Solukhumbu region, near Mount Everest on April 30, 2015.

The brother of the victim (foreground) helps set up the funeral pyre made of big logs of wood.

A candle is placed in the middle of the pyre as part of the prayer to the victim.

Bhuddist monks get ready to start the ceremony, preparing instruments and choosing prayers.

The body of the victim is brought to the pyre, hidden from view by a sheet.

In accordance with Buddhist custom, the corpse is not cremated laying flat, but instead is seated upright inside the wooden structure with its head up.

Villagers chop more wood in order to fully cover the corpse.

The ceremony begins with chanting as the fire is lit.

Devotional objects and offerings that will be thrown into the fire. Goodwill is created by these gifts and it is believed that goodwill helps the lingering spirit of the dead person.

The victim's brother blows a conch during the Buddhist chants.

The fire is controlled by pulling a sheet to keep the harsh wind from blowing too hard on it.

The fire is controlled by pulling a sheet to keep the harsh wind from blowing too hard on it.

The members of the village share rice liquor as the ceremony continues with more prayers and offerings thrown into the fire.

The fire burns more on the part facing the top of the hill, so, when it eventually crumbles, it will not roll down the hill.

The logs of the funeral pyre are pushed to the back to remain in place.

Everybody shares a moment of reverence, but without dramatization.

The setting of the ceremony.

Portrait of monks attending the ceremony. The monks come with the family to the funeral. The family and all their friends give food and candles to the monks that will be used in the ceremony.

The stretcher used by the villagers to carry the body of the deceased to the top of a hill near the village for the cremation ceremony.

For the cremation ceremony, the body is covered by a sheet and Khatas, traditional ceremonial scarves which symbolize purity and compassion.

A Bhuddist monk from a nearby monastery, who lost his mother in the earthquake that hit Nepal.

Every year around 50,000 trekkers trek around the Annapurna Massif making it one of the more popular treks in the world. Despite the number of trekkers introducing tourism as a stable source of income in the region, some of the inhabitants are still going about their business as they have done for hundreds of years. This collection is a visual journey following the Annapurna Circuit from Buhlebuhle to the world highest pass, the Thorong La Pass (5416 meters above sea level) and down to Muktinah on the other side depicting the scenery, while pausing to explore the life of the local inhabitants as they navigate in an ever changing world.

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Old Nepalese woman carding wool on the main street of Muktinath (3800 meters altitude) 121 kilometres into the trek. As with Manang Muktinath is the main hub coming down from the pass and as such largely dependent on tourism.

Grandmother and grandchild at the former's shop in Muktinath (3800 meters altitude) 121 kilometres into the trek on 24 March 2015. With 50,000 tourists passing through Muktinath every year money has made Muktinath into a somewhat prosperous town and most inhabitants are in one way or another engaged in the tourists industry.

Thorong La Pass. 5416 meters above sea level and 111 kilometres into the trek on 23 March 2015. Highest point on the Annapurna Circuit and highest pass in the world.

The track to Thorang La Pass having passed 5,000 meters altitude on 23 March 2015.

The entrance to the village of Thorang Phedi at 4450 meters altitude 105 kilometres into the trek on 22 March 2015. The region had received more snow than in the preceding 30 years and the access to Thorang La Pass, the highest pass in the world, had been blocked until a few days before.

A cow on the slope of the Annapurna Massif after Manang at 3540 meters altitude 90 kilometres into the trek on 20 March 2015. Cows/Yaks still provide the people in the mountains with milk, cheese, meat, and wool. From Manang and onwards it is mostly just inhabited in the tourist season as the snow stops other activities most of the year.

The view from the village of Gunsang (3,700 meters altitude) of the peak of Gangapurna Himal on 20 March 2015.

The village of Yak Kharta at 4,050 meters 99 kilometres into the trek at night. Without light pollution the stars are highly visible in the sky.

Further up from Manang (3540 meters altitude) a woman is selling beads and religious figures to trekkers passing by flanked by a prayer wheel on 20 March 2015. Local production and sale of merchandise is another way to tap into the market generated by increasing tourism.

The village of Manang at 3540 meters altitude 90 kilometres into the hike. Manang is the main hub when heading for Thorong La Pass and as such packed with tea houses and restaurants. A bad snow storm killed at least 43 people in October 2014, and with heavy snowfall in the region in March 2015 the Nepalese authorities chose to close down the pass for a number of days in March until it was deemed safe to continue.

The village of Braga (3450 meters altitude) with the peaks of Annapurna III (7555 meters) and Gangapurna Himal (7454 meters) in the background on 19 March 2015.

Prayer flags at 4,300 meters altitude above the village of Bhraka (3450 meters altitude) 88 kilometres into the Hike on 19 March 2015. The peak of Annapurna III (7555 meters) is clearly visible in the background on 19 March 2015.

Bhraka located 3450 meters above sea level and 88 kilometers along the trail is a small town at the foothill of Annapurna III (7555 meters) and Ganggapurna (7454 meters). The village consists of a newer part along the road with tea houses and an old part clustered on the side of a small mountain. That progress has reach Bhraka is discernible by the number of satellite dishes on the roofs of the buildings in the old part of town (depicted).

Buddhist shrine on the way to Ghyaru (3730 meters altitude, 74 kilometers from start). Religion still plays an important part of many Nepalese's lives and shrines are found all along the trek.

At 2,710 meters altitude Chame lies 56 kilometres into the Annapurna Circuit trek. Chame, Nepal, 17 March 2015. Chame is a hub on the trek and houses numerous tea houses, which are mostly full during the peak season between September and November. Tourism in Nepal contributes just below 10% of GDP and employs around half a million people.

Trekkers trekking towards Upper Pisang at 3,310 meters altitude 70 kilometers into the hike on 17 March 2015. Trekkers have brought certain wealth to the region from the hiring of guides and porters to the numerous tea houses and restaurants that can be found along the route. With an expected 25 USD per person per day for just food and lodging the 50,000 trekkers are a source of survival for many Nepalese both in Kathmandu and around the Annapurna Massif.

Nepalese baby in Chame (2710 meters altitude), Nepal on a toy vehicle on 17 March 2015. As tourism creates jobs and a source of income an increase in the standard of living is discernible along the route. Many locals wear North Face (Fake), while the children play with modern toys.

Where before the Annapurna Circuit was accessible solely by foot, a road has now been build that makes it possible to move people and goods all the way to Chame (2710 meters altitude). The road has opened up for quicker access, but has also made it possible to bypass many small villages along the trek losing the family owned establishments precious income.