Volunteer As A Trailbuilder In Armenia

Costs

As a nonprofit organization primarily funded by donations, volunteer fees are what make it possible for us to run the international volunteer program and provide a great introductory trail building experience for people from all over the world. The volunteer fee includes TCTA membership for one year, giving you first access to all of the trail updates, webinars, news, and more!

2027 Program Costs

8-day program: $700 USD
12-day program: $1,000 USD

What is included:
          • Two nights’ accommodation (first and last nights) at a local guesthouse or hotel in shared rooms
          • Transportation to the campsite and back
          • All meals
          • TCT t-shirt
          • Use of tools and safety equipment in the field
          • On-site training from experienced crew leaders
          • TFC basecamp support
          • Transportation from village/town to Yerevan on last day

What is not included:
          • Airfare to Armenia
          • Transportation to arrival point on Day 1
          • Items included on the Volunteer Packing List
          • Personal travel insurance
          • Other personal expenses

We are extremely grateful for the time that international volunteers contribute to this project. Please know that this fee still does not cover all of our expenses. Running the volunteer program comes with substantial overheads, including staffing, food, equipment, insurance, transportation, and administrative costs. Making these opportunities possible for such a modest amount requires the support of many additional donors and partners. Your volunteer fee and time both support critical projects on the development of the Transcaucasian Trail, and we are grateful for your support.

Camping Equipment Rental

• • Tent: $20
  • Sleeping bag: $20
  • Sleeping pad: $10

Extended Volunteering

Want to spend more time with us building trails? There are two ways to extend your volunteering experience and get even more involved in our work.

**Participants of any extended volunteer program are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel, accommodation, and meals between the end of their volunteer program and the start of the extended volunteering period.

Option 1: Combine International Volunteer Groups 1 and 2 or volunteer on the TCT in Georgia

We advise you to combine Groups 1 and 2 and extend your volunteering experience from July 25 to August 15, staying with our team for three consecutive weeks. Alternatively, our colleagues in Georgia are also running volunteer camps throughout August, so check out their camp dates as well!

Option 2: Join a Professional Trail Crew

You can also extend your stay by spending additional days working alongside TFC’s professional trail crews in the field.

Unlike the IVP, which introduces you to trail building through a group volunteering experience, this is a more intensive, hands-on experience. You may be the only international volunteer in a predominantly Armenian-speaking team of professionals who work on trail building as their full-time job.

This unique opportunity lets you join our regular technical crew and see what professional trail building looks like from the inside. Expect hands-on work, professional tools, physical challenges, and a much deeper understanding of what it takes to build and maintain a long-distance trail.

How does Option 2 work?

You don’t need to book this option in advance. Once you’ve experienced the IVP and have a better idea of what trail work involves, simply let us know if you’d like to join a professional crew. We’ll check whether we can accommodate you based on the crew’s schedule, location, and available capacity.

Participation fee for Option 2 is $350 for 5 working days.

The fee covers meals, accommodation, and transportation between Yerevan and the work site.

Discounts & Special Offers

We’re happy to offer the following discounts to your program fee. Discounts cannot be combined.

Early Bird: 10%. Apply and pay your deposit before December 25
Returning Participant: 10% per return. We love welcoming familiar faces back! Returning volunteers and Supporters’ Trek participants receive an additional 10% discount for each previous participation. For example: 1st return: 10% off; 2nd return: 20% off, 3rd return: 30% off.
Group Discount: 10%. Apply with at least one other person. All parties in the group must pay the deposit and confirm their participation for the discount to apply.
TCT Future Stewards Scholarship: 30% (maximum 2 participants per hitch)
We want to support the next generation of professionals working in conservation, sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation. This discount will be applied to university students currently studying in fields related to:

• Nature conservation and biodiversity
• Environmental sciences
• Sustainable tourism and ecotourism
• Forestry and natural resource management
• Outdoor recreation and adventure tourism
• Geography and related disciplines

Applicants must be currently enrolled at a university or accredited educational institution (Proof of current enrollment is required).

Payment Deadlines

A nonrefundable deposit of $200 is due within two weeks of your acceptance to reserve your spot in the program. The remaining volunteer fee is due one month before your start date.

Your spot on the team is not reserved until you have paid the deposit and submitted a signed liability waiver.