The 77 districts of Nepal
Nepal is divided into seven provinces and 77 districts. Pick a district to see what it is known for, how to get there and every place we cover inside it.
Koshi Province 14 districts
Bhojpurभोजपुर
HQ Bhojpur · 3 places
A quiet Kirat hill district between the Arun and the high ridges, known for its khukuri smiths, Salpa Pokhari and long views from Tyamke Danda.
Dhankutaधनकुटा
HQ Dhankuta · 3 places
A tidy hill town and cool ridges on the Koshi Highway, a gateway to the eastern hills with oranges, Hile's bazaar and Rai and Limbu culture.
Ilamइलाम
HQ Ilam · 3 places
Rolling tea gardens, cardamom farms and sunrise viewpoints in Nepal's far east, with the forested lakes of Mai Pokhari in the hills above.
Jhapaझापा
HQ Bhadrapur · 3 places
Nepal's flat, green south-eastern corner of rice fields and tea estates, home to the Kakarbhitta border crossing and Bhadrapur airport.
Khotangखोटाङ
HQ Diktel · 3 places
Steep Rai hill country above the Dudh Koshi and Sun Koshi, best known for the Halesi-Maratika Caves, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike.
Morangमोरङ
HQ Biratnagar · 3 places
An industrial and agricultural Terai district centred on Biratnagar, the capital of Koshi Province and a key gateway to eastern Nepal.
Okhaldhungaओखलढुङ्गा
HQ Okhaldhunga · 3 places
A peaceful mid-hill district between the Sun Koshi and Dudh Koshi, a lower gateway to the Solu region with terraced farmland and old bazaars.
Panchtharपाँचथर
HQ Phidim · 2 places
Green Limbu hill country between Ilam and Taplejung, crossed by the Mechi Highway on the way to Pathibhara and Kanchenjunga.
Sankhuwasabhaसङ्खुवासभा
HQ Khandbari · 3 places
From the deep Arun valley to the summit of Makalu, the district for the Makalu Barun National Park and the wild Barun Valley trek.
Solukhumbuसोलुखुम्बु
HQ Salleri · 25 places
Home of Everest and the Sherpa heartland of Khumbu, with the classic Everest Base Camp, Gokyo Lakes and Three Passes treks.
Sunsariसुनसरी
HQ Inaruwa · 3 places
A busy Terai and foothill district with the hill-backed city of Dharan, the Koshi Barrage and the pilgrimage site of Barahakshetra.
Taplejungताप्लेजुङ
HQ Taplejung · 9 places
Remote mountain district at Nepal's north-eastern tip, home to Kanchenjunga, its base-camp treks and the hilltop shrine of Pathibhara Devi.
Terhathumतेह्रथुम
HQ Myanglung · 3 places
A small, green hill district known for Dhaka weaving, the bazaar of Basantapur and rhododendron forests on the Tinjure-Milke ridge.
Udayapurउदयपुर
HQ Gaighat · 3 places
Inner Terai valleys and forested Churia hills around Gaighat, with the old fort of Chaudandigadhi and a stretch of the Koshi Tappu wetlands.
Madhesh Province 8 districts
Baraबारा
HQ Kalaiya · 3 places
A flat Terai district of rice fields and market towns, home to the Gadhimai temple and the ruins of medieval Simraungadh.
Dhanushaधनुषा
HQ Janakpur · 3 places
The heart of Nepali Mithila, centred on Janakpur, the Janaki Mandir and a calendar of Ramayana festivals.
Mahottariमहोत्तरी
HQ Jaleshwar · 3 places
A Mithila district of temples and farmland, with Jaleshwar's Shiva shrine in the south and the busy Bardibas junction in the north.
Parsaपर्सा
HQ Birgunj · 3 places
Nepal's main trade gateway with India, centred on Birgunj, with the forests of Parsa National Park to the north.
Rautahatरौतहट
HQ Gaur · 3 places
A quiet, farming district of the central Terai, bounded by the Bagmati River and best known to travellers for Gaur and Chandranigahapur.
Saptariसप्तरी
HQ Rajbiraj · 3 places
An eastern Terai district on the Koshi River, known for Koshi Tappu's wetlands, the Koshi Barrage and the planned town of Rajbiraj.
Sarlahiसर्लाही
HQ Malangwa · 3 places
A central Terai district of farmland and market towns between the Bagmati River and Mithila, with Malangwa on the Indian border.
Sirahaसिराहा
HQ Siraha · 3 places
A Mithila district of the eastern Terai, known for the Salhesh Phulbari shrine and the highway market town of Lahan.
Bagmati Province 13 districts
Bhaktapurभक्तपुर
HQ Bhaktapur · 3 places
Nepal's smallest district, home to the best-preserved Newar city in the valley and the sunrise viewpoint of Nagarkot.
Chitwanचितवन
HQ Bharatpur · 3 places
Lowland Nepal's best-known wildlife district, with one-horned rhinos, jungle walks and river life in Chitwan National Park.
Dhadingधादिङ
HQ Dhading Besi · 3 places
A long hill district west of Kathmandu, stretching from Trishuli river rafting to the Tamang villages and hot springs of the Ruby Valley.
Dolakhaदोलखा
HQ Charikot · 5 places
A mountain district east of Kathmandu, known for the Bhimsen temple at Dolakha, the winter snows of Kalinchowk and the remote Rolwaling Valley.
Kathmanduकाठमाडौँ
HQ Kathmandu · 15 places
Nepal's capital district, dense with UNESCO-listed temples and stupas, old Newar quarters and the busy traveller hub of Thamel.
Kavrepalanchokकाभ्रेपलान्चोक
HQ Dhulikhel · 4 places
Hill country just east of the Kathmandu Valley, with the old Newar towns of Dhulikhel and Panauti and the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha.
Lalitpurललितपुर
HQ Lalitpur (Patan) · 6 places
The city of Patan and its Durbar Square, with Newar craft villages and the forested heights of Phulchowki to the south.
Makwanpurमकवानपुर
HQ Hetauda · 5 places
Hills and Inner Terai between Kathmandu and the plains, known for Daman's mountain views, the Kulekhani reservoir and the old route through Chitlang.
Nuwakotनुवाकोट
HQ Bidur · 5 places
Historic hill district north-west of Kathmandu, home to the old palace at Nuwakot and the Helambu trail stops of Kutumsang and Tharepati.
Ramechhapरामेछाप
HQ Manthali · 1 place
A quiet middle-hill district east of Kathmandu, best known to travellers for the Manthali airport used for flights to Lukla.
Rasuwaरसुवा
HQ Dhunche · 10 places
Gateway to the Langtang Valley and the sacred Gosaikunda lakes, with Tamang villages along the road to the Tibetan border.
Sindhuliसिन्धुली
HQ Kamalamai · 2 places
Hill and Inner Terai district on the B.P. Highway, known for its sweet junar oranges and the historic fort of Sindhuli Gadhi.
Sindhupalchokसिन्धुपाल्चोक
HQ Chautara · 7 places
Mountain district north-east of Kathmandu, home to the Helambu trekking region, the Panch Pokhari lakes and the Bhote Koshi valley.
Gandaki Province 11 districts
Baglungबागलुङ
HQ Baglung · 3 places
Hill district on the Kali Gandaki known for its long suspension bridges, the Kalika temple and the remote Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.
Gorkhaगोरखा
HQ Gorkha · 18 places
Birthplace of the Shah kings, home to Gorkha Durbar and the Manakamana temple, and gateway to the Manaslu and Tsum Valley treks.
Kaskiकास्की
HQ Pokhara · 29 places
Pokhara, Phewa Tal and the Annapurna Sanctuary: Nepal's main lake and trekking hub beneath Machhapuchhre.
Lamjungलमजुङ
HQ Besisahar · 3 places
Starting point of the Annapurna circuit at Besisahar, with Gurung hill villages and the old Lamjung Durbar.
Manangमनाङ
HQ Chame · 18 places
Trans-Himalayan valley behind the Annapurnas, crossed by the Annapurna circuit, with Tilicho Lake, Nar Phu and the Thorong La.
Mustangमुस्ताङ
HQ Jomsom · 13 places
High desert of the Kali Gandaki, from apple orchards at Marpha to the walled city of Lo Manthang and the shrine of Muktinath.
Myagdiम्याग्दी
HQ Beni · 8 places
District of Dhaulagiri and Beni, known for Poon Hill, the Tatopani hot springs and Magar community treks.
Nawalpurनवलपुर
HQ Kawasoti · 3 places
Lowland district on the west bank of the Narayani, with Tharu villages and quieter access to Chitwan National Park.
Parbatपर्वत
HQ Kusma · 2 places
Small hill district where the Modi Khola meets the Kali Gandaki, known for its gorge bridges and the Panchase hills.
Syangjaस्याङ्जा
HQ Putalibazar · 3 places
Terraced hills between Pokhara and Palpa, known for the Sirubari homestay village, the Alamdevi temple and the Panchase ridge.
Tanahunतनहुँ
HQ Damauli · 3 places
Hill district on the Prithvi Highway, home to the Newar town of Bandipur, the Siddha Gufa cave and the holy confluence at Devghat.
Lumbini Province 12 districts
Arghakhanchiअर्घाखाँची
HQ Sandhikharka · 3 places
A quiet mid-hill district of terraced ridges and old hilltop shrines, best known for the Supa Deurali temple above Sandhikharka.
Bankeबाँके
HQ Nepalgunj · 3 places
A hot Terai border district centred on Nepalgunj, the main gateway for flights into the far west and Karnali, with Banke National Park to the north.
Bardiyaबर्दिया
HQ Gulariya · 3 places
Home to Bardiya National Park, one of Nepal's best places to look for wild tigers, with Tharu villages and the broad Karnali river.
Dangदाङ
HQ Ghorahi · 3 places
Two broad inner Terai valleys, Dang and Deukhuri, with growing cities, Tharu culture and the old Ratnanath shrine at Chaughera.
Gulmiगुल्मी
HQ Tamghas · 3 places
A green mid-hill district known for its coffee, the Resunga hill shrine above Tamghas and the riverside pilgrimage site of Ruru Kshetra.
Kapilvastuकपिलवस्तु
HQ Taulihawa · 3 places
The plains where Siddhartha Gautama grew up, with the excavated palace site of Tilaurakot and several Ashoka-era pillars and stupas.
Palpaपाल्पा
HQ Tansen · 3 places
Hill district of Tansen's old bazaar, the riverside Rani Mahal on the Kali Gandaki and handwoven Dhaka cloth.
Parasiपरासी
HQ Ramgram · 3 places
A small Terai district west of the Narayani, known for the Ramgram stupa, one of the original stupas said to hold relics of the Buddha.
Pyuthanप्युठान
HQ Pyuthan · 3 places
A quiet hill district best known for Swargadwari, a forested hilltop pilgrimage site, and the valleys of the Jhimruk and Mandavi rivers.
Rolpaरोल्पा
HQ Liwang · 3 places
Rugged Kham Magar hill country around Liwang, known for the Jaljala ridge and its place in Nepal's recent political history.
Rukum Eastपूर्वी रुकुम
HQ Rukumkot · 3 places
Remote high hills around Rukumkot, with Kham Magar villages, the Sisne Himal range and access to the wild Dhorpatan area.
Rupandehiरुपन्देही
HQ Bhairahawa · 3 places
Birthplace of the Buddha at Lumbini, and home to the busy cities of Butwal and Bhairahawa on Nepal's main western gateway.
Karnali Province 10 districts
Dailekhदैलेख
HQ Dailekh · 3 places
Hill district of the Karnali region, known for the natural gas flames of its Panchakoshi shrines and the old Khasa Malla seat at Dullu.
Dolpaडोल्पा
HQ Dunai · 7 places
Nepal's largest and one of its most remote districts, home to Phoksundo Lake, Shey Gompa and the high Tibetan-style valleys of Dolpo.
Humlaहुम्ला
HQ Simikot · 3 places
Nepal's far north-western corner, with Simikot as its airstrip hub, the remote Limi Valley and the old trade route towards Kailash in Tibet.
Jajarkotजाजरकोट
HQ Khalanga · 3 places
A steep middle-hill district on the Bheri River, with an old royal town at Khalanga and quiet farming villages away from any tourist trail.
Jumlaजुम्ला
HQ Jumla · 4 places
Historic heart of the Karnali region, known for its red marsi rice, apples, the Sinja Valley and as the trailhead for treks to Rara Lake.
Kalikotकालिकोट
HQ Manma · 3 places
Rugged Karnali gorge country crossed by the Karnali Highway, where the Tila River meets the Karnali on the way north to Jumla.
Muguमुगु
HQ Gamgadhi · 3 places
Remote northern district home to Rara Lake, Nepal's largest lake, set in forest within Rara National Park.
Rukum Westपश्चिम रुकुम
HQ Musikot · 3 places
Middle-hill district centred on Musikot, known for Syarpu Lake, terraced farmland and its place in the history of the Maoist movement.
Salyanसल्यान
HQ Salyan · 3 places
Southern Karnali hill district of ginger fields and orange orchards, with Kupinde Lake as its best-known natural attraction.
Surkhetसुर्खेत
HQ Birendranagar · 3 places
Gateway to Karnali Province, with the provincial capital Birendranagar set in a wide green valley and the start of the Karnali Highway.
Sudurpashchim Province 9 districts
Achhamअछाम
HQ Mangalsen · 3 places
A quiet hill district of the far west, known for the lakes and meadows of Ramaroshan and the old hilltop seat of Mangalsen.
Baitadiबैतडी
HQ Dasharathchand · 3 places
A hill district on the Mahakali River border with India, known for its old temples, Deuda culture and terraced ridges.
Bajhangबझाङ
HQ Chainpur · 3 places
A remote mountain district rising to Saipal Himal, with high trails, sacred lakes and a share of the Khaptad plateau.
Bajuraबाजुरा
HQ Martadi · 3 places
A rugged mountain district on the Karnali, best known for the hilltop shrine of Badimalika and its great August pilgrimage.
Dadeldhuraडडेलधुरा
HQ Dadeldhura · 3 places
A cool, pine-forested hill district above the far-west Terai, with the Amargadhi fort and the Ugratara temple.
Darchulaदार्चुला
HQ Darchula · 3 places
Nepal's far north-west corner, where the Mahakali divides it from India and the Api Himal rises above remote valleys.
Dotiडोटी
HQ Dipayal Silgadhi · 3 places
The historic heart of the far west, home to Dipayal Silgadhi on the Seti and the high meadows of Khaptad National Park.
Kailaliकैलाली
HQ Dhangadhi · 3 places
A busy Terai district on the Karnali and the Indian border, home to Dhangadhi, Tharu villages and the wetlands of Ghodaghodi Tal.
Kanchanpurकञ्चनपुर
HQ Bhimdatta · 3 places
Nepal's south-western corner, known for the grasslands and swamp deer of Shuklaphanta National Park and the Mahakali border.