Filmed in the Dolpol region of Nepal, close to the border with Tibet, Eric Valli's film seeks to portray a vanishing way of life in a small village whose survival depends on Yak caravans crossing the mountains to barter salt for food supplies. The story centres on Pasang, younger son of the village headman, whose elder brother has been killed in an accident, and his conflict with Karma, who wants to take over leadership of the caravans.