Hunting for honey has been a common practice of many ancient cultures for thousands of years and still today it is a traditional practice by the Gurung people, who are an ethnic group from different parts of Nepal. They are said to have migrated from Tibet in the 6th century to the central region of Nepal. Members of Gurung tribes are engaged in a dangerous and ancient tradition of honey hunting for their livelihood.

More than 50% of honey produced in Nepal is harvested and gathered by honey hunters. Nepal is very rich in honeybee diversity. There are at least five different honeybee species in the country. These bee species play a vital role in pollinating mountain crops and wild flora. 
It’s a tradition that’s carried on for generations, but it might not last much longer. With bee populations already dwindling, the delicate ecosystem that underpins this tradition is threatened by changing climate situations, agricultural landscape, population pressure, soil erosion and landslides caused by road and tourist track construction. Another factor includes reduction in the number of honey hunters because of the fact that most of the honey hunters are aging and new generation is least interested in adopting this profession due to the difficulties, risks, limited cash income and many other factors. 
Along with that there are certain traditional beliefs and superstition related to hunting honey; such as women are not allowed to watch the process as they believes that if they participate then the bees will be very aggressive or one cannot join honey-hunting team if his wife is menstruated or pregnant of over 6 months. Also honey hunting is not allowed in 8th, 11th, 23rd, 26th and 30th day of moon cycle.
Poking your head through the bee’s stingers for hunting honey should be seen such a dangerous and difficult work but then also it has been practiced for thousands of years and holds a vital part for Nepali culture as the country is home to the ApisLaboriosa which is the biggest honeybee on the planet. 
What they do is not at all easy because the mission they undertake have taken many lives in the past but they don’t consider it as a difficult job rather they treat it with utmost respect and feel the adrenaline rush while doing it. They are willing to risk so much only for getting that precious sweet gold and it is probably worth it as it can cure serious illness. Yes that’s their reward because honey is also now sold in the market for medicinal purposes rather than just the recreational drug.
Gurungs of Nepal do this job in different ways. Before a hunt can commence, honey hunters perform a ceremony to placate the cliff gods which involves sacrificing a sheep, offering flowers, fruits and rice, and praying to the cliff gods to ensure a safe hunt. 
They ascend to the base of cliffs in central Nepal’s to collect honey, twice a year by constantly hunting with swollen hands, using self- made ladders, hand woven rope, bamboo poles and various such other equipments. 
After hours of struggles, hunters trek back to the village carrying approximately 20kg of honey which was then divided up among the villagers.
The tribes’people of eastern Nepal have used this honey for centuries as a cough syrup and an antiseptic, and the beeswax has found its way into workshops in the alleys of Kathmandu, where it is used to cast bronze statues of gods and goddesses.
For these people, honey hunting is the only way to earn the cash he needs to buy the few staples he can’t produce himself, including salt and cooking oil etc.

The villages usually keep and share autumn honey for tea and other uses, but the spring honey – called red honey for obvious reasons – is increasingly popular to Japan, China and Korea for its perceived medicinal qualities. According to the statistics, the total amount of honey produced in 26 nesting sites of Apislaboriosa is around 3053 Kgs per year. Twelve villages are involved in this process. The major thrust of these communities is on social gathering, interactions and belief-based rituals rather than income generation from the sale proceed of honey. 
The direct benefit of honey hunting in the context of income generation is limited and mainly comes from spring harvest which is sold to exporter on higher rates for export to Korean and Japanese markets. The red honey collected by Apislaboriosabee during spring season from white rhododendron, Bikh (Aconitum spp.), Pangra (Entadascanders) and Niramasi are considered intoxicated. Intoxicating honey is not consumed locally but exporters benefit from the export of this honey due to its medicinal value and relaxing properties.
Although, the Gurung tribes people of Nepal have been collecting honey from Himalayan cliffs for centuries, but now their lifestyle is under threat from commercialization and tours offering visitors a chance to 'join a honey hunt'. 
Unscrupulous trekking agencies are cashing in; frequently buying off hunters to stage hunts at all times of year either to sell at market or to bring tourists.
This demand has resulted in a shift in ownership of the cliffs away from the indigenous communities to the government, allowing them to open honey-harvesting rights to contractors.
An influx of tourists trekking the world famous Annapurna circuit has stimulated interest among trekking agencies in organising‘staged’ honey hunting events in areas such as Ghandruk, Manang and Lamjung and for thatthey charge US$250-$1,500 for one honey-hunting event, but very little of which is paid to the indigenous communities. 

Still, Honey hunters are tempted by this short-term financial benefit to harvest outside of the normal season with tourists using climbing gear to accompany them, damaging the cliff face and nesting sites in the process.
Undoubtedly no matter what; the Hunting Honey Culture is definitely a sight to see in Nepal for tourists. An award-winning UK based travel photographer, Andrew Newey has captured some amazing photographs of these honey hunters of Gurunga tribes (Nepal) that might attracts many of us to go there and witness the bravery of these imprudent honey hunters.