Volunteer As A Trailbuilder In Armenia
Please read the information on the general volunteer trail building page
prior to applying to the International Volunteer Program in Armenia.
Partners
We are proud to work with our local partner Trails for Change NGO, who will be directing the trail work for the duration of the volunteer program.
Location
The 2025 Summer program will take place in Dilijan, Armenia. The first TCT trail building project in Armenia took place in Dilijan in 2017, and we’re excited to return this year to maintain the trails in this beautiful region. Dilijan is one of the more popular sections of the TCT, due to its accessibility and proximity to cultural sites, such as Haghartsin Monastery.
Typical Weekly Schedule
Sunday: Arrival in Dilijan. Team building, orientation, dinner with the group, and safety briefings.
Monday–Friday: Trail work. Five-day hitch focused on trail-building, maintenance, or conservation projects.
Saturday: Cultural Day and Departure. Pack out and return to Dilijan. Share an Armenian meal, learn Armenian dances, and participate in a masterclass. Depart from Dilijan.
Costs
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on volunteer fees to cover the cost of the program. The total volunteer fee includes the $500 fee plus a non-refundable donation to the Transcaucasian Trail Association. The TCTA donation includes TCTA membership for one year, giving you first access to all of the trail updates, webinars, news, and more!
The cost of participation in the volunteer program in Armenia is USD $600 for the 7-day program.
What is included:
• Two nights’ accommodation (Sunday and Friday) in Dilijan
• Transportation between Dilijan and the work site
• All meals from Sunday dinner to Saturday lunch
• TCT t-shirt
• Use of tools and safety equipment in the field
• On-site training from skilled crew leaders
• TCT basecamp support
What is not included:
• Airfare to Armenia
• Transportation to Dilijan
• 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 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 supports the development of the Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia and our Caucasus Conservation Corps program.
*The volunteer fee will be refunded in the case the program is cancelled for reasons outside of our control. Refunds of the deposit can be made if the participant informs us a the change of plans at least 30 days before the start of the program.
Payment Deadlines
A deposit of $300 (including the TCTA donation) is due within two weeks of your acceptance to reserve your spot in the program. The remaining volunteer fee ($300) is due at least one month prior to your arrival.
Your spot on the team is not reserved until you have paid the deposit and submitted a signed liability waiver.
Join us for a rewarding experience and help bring to life one of the most ambitious long-distance hiking trails in the world! Complete the volunteer application form by clicking the button below.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until June 15, 2025.
Join our mailing list to be the first to know about future opportunities.
*Please note that demand has been very high in previous years, and all spots will likely fill well in advance of this deadline. To avoid disappointment, we suggest applying as soon as possible to guarantee your spot.
The best part was seeing the path’s growth under our feet day after day and sharing this experience with different people bonded by similar passions, in a context that promotes a sincere and deep way to relate to each other.
Bianca, 2017 volunteer programme participant (read Bianca’s story)
