Mani Lal (63) is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. Mani Lal is the last of his village to have mastery of the technique.

Mani Lal (63) descends a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist, after collecting the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. Mani Lal is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the honey. He is the last of his village to have mastery of the technique.

Mani Lal (63) collects the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. He is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m hive until it breaks of the rock face and falls into a basket.

Mani Lal (63) collects the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. He is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m hive until it breaks of the rock face and falls into a basket.

Mani Lal (63) collects the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. He is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m hive until it breaks of the rock face and falls into a basket.

At the foot of the cliff from which Mani Lai collects wild honey, villagers hold out pots and pans to catch stray drops. Mani Lal (63) is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m hive until it breaks off the rock face and falls into a basket.

Mani Lal (63) is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m hive until it breaks off the rock face and falls into a basket.

Mani Lal (63) is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m hive until it breaks off the rock face and falls into a basket.

Mani Lal (63) collects the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. He is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect honey. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m hive until it breaks of the rock face and falls into a basket.

Mani Lal (63) collects the wild honey of 'apis dorsata', a giant bee. He is the head of a Gurung village in the foothills of the world's highest peaks. As did his father, a shaman priest, he travels to the Himalayan ravines every spring and autumn to collect honey. The last of his village to have mastery of the technique, Mani Lal uses a 50m-long bamboo ladder, secured only by a cord around his waist. Aided by an experienced team he maneuvers the 2.75m until it breaks of the rock face and falls into a basket.

Sports - Honorable mention