High in the Annapurna region of Nepal's Himalayas lies Muktinath, a small village and sacred pilgrimage centre. At 3800m it is the highest settlement on the Annapurna Circuit, just below and to the west of Thorung La pass, dwarfed by the stunning majesty of 7000 and 8000m peaks that sweep every direction of this vast landscape.

Pilgrims come on foot (for there are no vehicles except for the mule trains) to worship at their respective temple: for the Hindus, the Vishnu Temple where a stream is diverted into 108 sacred spouts : for the Buddhists, the temple of the eternal flame burning from a natural gas vent is their grail.

I'd flown to Nepal out of Thailand via Bangladesh, and joined TREK AID : a trek-group from England, connected as we all were to the Tibet Relief Fund of UK. Not only did this facilitate trekking and overnighting in some of the world's most stunning and culturally fascinating environments, it also gave us the chance to interact more intimately with the Tibetan exile communities and work with them to define their ongoing needs, allocate funding and view completed projects (such as the community hall in Tserok, or the acquisition of sewing machines by the women of Tashiling to make traditional performance costumes).

For several years I had sponsored a young Tibetan boy (Tenzin Kunga) in his education, and in Pokhara, I finally had the humble but wonderful expereince of meeting him, and enjoying his family's hospitality. 10 years on, we are still in touch and I am proud of what he's accomplished.

To this day, I deeply remember the generosity and hospitality afforded us at all times, and the dear memories of my contact with these warm, gentle and dignified people.

Pokhara is the main access town-city for trips into Annapurna. Whilst there are specific times of the year when the trails are thronged with pilgrims, even in the quieter seasons, lone followers still make the long journey to Muktinath.

Some, like this sadhu, live an ascetic life, having renounced all material attachments to follow a spiritual and nomadic path towards enlightenment.

Walking barefoot and dressed often in the most minimal of threadbare robes or blankets, the sadhu survives on offerings of food given along his path, from other devotees.

As I was descending from Muktinath to Kagbeni, far below in the Kali Gandki valley floor, I came across this man quite by chance. Fumbling for a suitable offering, I could only find a small packet of biscuits, though this was gratefully and nobly accepted.

Crouched at the wayside, as he was; brightly etched by the morning sun against an other-worldly, barren, expansive yet awe-inspiring backdrop, this image was impossible to resist, and is perhaps a personal favourite: another of many rich and rewarding exchanges.