Shepherd   s Cave, Afghanistan

Photograph by Matthieu Paley

Kyrgyz men seek shelter in a shepherd s cave during their annual journey from their mountainous homeland in remote Afghanistan to the nearest trading village in Pakistan, an icy, five-day trek. They will barter livestock, wool, and dairy products for everything from tea to television sets.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Paley in the field on assignment for National Geographic »