Nepal Government Reintroduces Two-Day Weekly Holiday: Essential Updates for Trekkers in 2026

In a strategic move to curb fuel consumption and promote economic austerity, the Government of Nepal has officially announced the implementation of a two-day weekly holiday. Effective immediately as of April 2026, all government offices and educational institutions will now remain closed on both Saturday and Sunday.

At Ghale Treks, we understand that when you are on a tight trekking schedule, every hour counts. We have updated our operational protocols to ensure that this administrative shift does not impact your journey to the peaks.

The Cabinet decision, led by government spokesperson Sasmita Pokharel, introduces the following changes:

• New Weekend: Saturday and Sunday are now official public holidays (replacing the previous Saturday-only system).
• Revised Office Hours: To compensate for the extra day off, weekday working hours for government offices have been extended to 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
• Objective: This initiative aims to reduce the national trade deficit by cutting petroleum usage and encouraging domestic tourism.

For international travelers, the primary impact involves the processing of essential documentation:

• Permit Issuance: Offices responsible for issuing TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management Systems) and National Park permits will observe the Sunday holiday.

• Visa Services: The Department of Immigration will also be closed on Sundays, making Friday the final day of the week for visa extensions or restricted area permit approvals.

• Banking: While digital services remain active, formal bank branches will be closed on Sundays, affecting physical currency exchange and wire transfers.

Navigating local bureaucracy is our specialty. To ensure our clients are unaffected by the Sunday closure, Ghale Treks has implemented the following:

• Proactive Document Handling: We now apply for all necessary permits at least 48 hours before your trek start date to clear all “Sunday bottlenecks.”

• Itinerary Optimization: Our arrival packages in Kathmandu are designed to land you on weekdays, ensuring all administrative tasks are completed before the weekend.

• Field Operations: Please note that trekking operations do not stop. Our guides, porters, and private transport services operate 365 days a year. Your time on the trail remains untouched.

This government decision is part of a broader push toward sustainability, including a new legal framework to facilitate the conversion of fuel-powered vehicles into electric vehicles (EVs). Ghale Treks supports these “green” initiatives, as they contribute to preserving the pristine environment of the Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang regions for future generations.