Volunteer As A Trailbuilder In Azerbaijan

Please read the information on the general trail building page prior to applying to the International Volunteer Program in Azerbaijan. 

Location 

The 2025 Summer program will take place in Guba, Azerbaijan, and you will conduct trail work along the Eh Route, part of the Guba-Gusar section of the TCT. This is the very first international volunteer project in Azerbaijan, and  we’re excited to welcome you to this beautiful part of the country!

2025 Volunteer Camp Dates

We are hosting ONE session in Azerbaijan, from Sunday, July 13 – Wednesday, July 23, 2025

AZ IVP

Sunday: Arrival in Baku. Team building, orientation, safety briefings, and dinner.
Monday: Drive to Guba and pack in. Drive to work site, set up camp, introduction to tools and work. 
Tuesday–Tuesday: Trail work. Eight-day hitch focused on trail-building, maintenance, or conservation projects.
Wednesday: Pack out and Departure. Drive back to Baku and celebrate the week with a farewell lunch in a forest restaurant.

ABOO-9865 (1)
ABOO-0076 (1)2
ABOO-9848

Costs

As a nonprofit organization, we rely on volunteer fees to cover the cost of the program. The total volunteer fee includes the $500 program fee plus a $100 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 Azerbaijan is USD $600 for the 11-day program.

What is included:
          • Transportation between Baku and the work site
          • All meals from Sunday dinner thru the following Wednesday 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 Azerbaijan**
          • Accommodation in Baku 
          • Items included on the Volunteer Packing List
          • Personal travel insurance
          • Other personal expenses

**NOTE: All land borders into Azerbaijan are currently closed, so flying is the only means of transportation into the country. Please plan accordingly.**

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 Transcaucasian Trail  and our Caucasus Conservation Corps program. 

Payment Deadlines

A deposit of $200 (including the TCTA donation) is due within two weeks of your acceptance to reserve your spot in the program. The remaining volunteer fee ($400) is due by June 13.

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

The volunteer fee will be refunded in the case the program is cancelled for reasons outside of our control. Refunds of the deposit (minus the $100 TCTA donation) can be made if the participant informs us a the change of plans at least 30 days before the start of the program. 

 

You’ll have a rewarding experience helping 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 1, 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.

I enjoyed the shared purpose. Nice to meet new people and great to explore a new place and think about future potential trips. I felt like it was a sustainable project to bring new people to a lesser known area, in a positive manner. 

Ed, 2023 volunteer
Bitnami