Rutuls live in the Rutul and Achtyn districts of the Republic of Daghestan, in the valley of the Upper Samur river and some of its tributaries, namely, the Kara-Samur. There are 18 auls in the Rutul district of Daghestan: Rutul - or Mukhad, Kiche, Khnyukh, Kala, Kina, Amsar, Shinaz, Luchek, Pilek, Khynykh, Dzilikhur, Vyrysh, Fartma, Natsma, Mukhrek, Ikhrek, Khinau, Borch, and one aul in the Achtyn district of Daghestan - Khnov. In the Rutul district, administrative center of which is the aul Rutul, Rutuls live side by side with cognate ethnic groups - Lezgians and Tsakhurs. Besides, Rutuls live in 4 auls (Shin, Shor-Su, Dai-Juz, Khyrsa) in Azerbaijan.