Districts
Koshi Province
Terhathum तेह्रथुम
Rai culture and hill villages
Terhathum, headquartered at Myanglung in the Koshi mid-hills, is the launching district for the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale ridge — Nepal's self-styled rhododendron capital, where most of the country's rhododendron species bloom together each spring along a 30-kilometre ridgeline. Clear days open panoramas of Kanchenjunga and Makalu without the permit cost of the high parks. It is a heartland of Rai and Limbu culture, with traditional villages lining the terraced slopes below.
About Terhathum
Terhathum is the launching district for the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale ridge — Nepal's self-declared rhododendron capital — where 28 of the country's 32 rhododendron species bloom along a 30-kilometre ridge that spans the borders of Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha and Taplejung. The standard approach begins at Basantapur in the district's west and follows the ridge east over Chauki, Gupha Pokhari and Milke Danda before dropping to Tumlingtar; mid-April to early May is the peak bloom. Myanglung, the headquarters, has the Singhabahini temple at its centre, and clear days from the upper ridges carry views to Kanchenjunga and Makalu without permit or fee.
The district is Rai and Limbu country: the Yakthung Limbu connection to the TMJ ridge is deep enough that the three danda carry traditional Yakthung names alongside the Nepali ones. Terhathum sees very few independent foreign visitors; those who come are almost always walking the rhododendron trek as part of an eastern-hills circuit. Basic teahouses are available along the trail, and a guide from Myanglung or Basantapur is advisable. The district is accessible but not well developed for tourism, which is largely the point.
At a glance
- Headquarters
- Myanglung
- Known for
- Rai culture and hill villages
Getting there
The most practical approach is to fly to Biratnagar (about 35 minutes from Kathmandu), then drive north on the hill road through Dharan and Dhankuta to Myanglung — roughly 150 km from Biratnagar, 3–4 hours. Basantapur, the western trailhead for the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale trek, is an additional hour north of Myanglung. Roads are paved from Biratnagar to Dhankuta; the upper sections are narrower and subject to monsoon landslides.