Regions of Nepal

Three Main Geographical Regions

A. Himalayan Region (15% of land)

  • Elevation: 3,000m - 8,848m (Mt. Everest)
  • Climate: Alpine to Arctic
  • Key Features:
    • 8 of world's 10 highest peaks
    • Glaciers, high-altitude deserts
    • Tibetan Buddhist culture
  • Major Areas:
    • Everest region (Solukhumbu)
    • Annapurna & Dhaulagiri ranges
    • Mustang & Dolpo (Tibetan plateau)

B. Hilly Region (68% of land)

  • Elevation: 300m - 3,000m
  • Climate: Temperate
  • Key Features:
    • Terraced farms, river valleys
    • Newari & Magar ethnic cultures
    • Historic cities and temples
  • Major Areas:
    • Kathmandu Valley
    • Pokhara Valley
    • Palpa, Gorkha, Dhading

C. Terai Region (17% of land)

  • Elevation: 60m - 300m
  • Climate: Tropical
  • Key Features:
    • Fertile Gangetic plains
    • Wildlife-rich national parks
    • Tharu & Maithili cultures
  • Major Areas:
    • Chitwan & Bardia National Parks
    • Lumbini (Buddha's birthplace)
    • Janakpur (Hindu pilgrimage site)

Seven Administrative Provinces

Province Capital Key Highlights
1. Koshi Biratnagar Mt. Kanchenjunga, Tea Estates
2. Madhesh Janakpur Lumbini, Maithili culture
3. Bagmati Kathmandu Kathmandu Valley, Langtang
4. Gandaki Pokhara Annapurna, Muktinath
5. Lumbini Deukhuri Bardia NP, Buddhist sites
6. Karnali Birendranagar Rara Lake, Dolpo
7. Sudurpashchim Godawari Khaptad NP, Far-West culture

Tourism Regions (Practical Guide)

A. Everest Region

  • Base Town: Lukla
  • Key Treks: EBC, Three Passes
  • Culture: Sherpa Buddhism

B. Annapurna Region

  • Base Town: Pokhara
  • Key Treks: ABC, Circuit, Mardi Himal
  • Culture: Gurung & Magar traditions

C. Western Nepal

  • Base Town: Nepalgunj
  • Key Attractions: Rara Lake, Dolpo
  • Culture: Tibetan Bon Buddhism

D. Eastern Nepal

  • Base Town: Taplejung
  • Key Attractions: Kanchenjunga, Tea Gardens
  • Culture: Limbu & Rai ethnic groups

Cultural & Ethnic Regions

  • Newar Belt: Kathmandu Valley
  • Tharu Belt: Chitwan/Bardia
  • Tibetan Belt: Upper Mustang/Dolpo
  • Kiranti Zone: Eastern hills

Best Region for Your Interest

  • Trekking: Himalayan (Everest/Annapurna)
  • Wildlife: Terai (Chitwan/Bardia)
  • Culture: Kathmandu Valley
  • Spiritual: Lumbini/Muktinath
  • Offbeat: Karnali (Far-West)

Did You Know? Nepal has over 120 ethnic groups speaking 123 languages across these regions!