Volunteer As A Trailbuilder In Georgia
Please read the information on the general trail building page prior to applying to the International Volunteer Program in Georgia.
Location
The 2026 Summer International Volunteer Program will take place in Zeskho, a small remote area of Lower Svaneti, Georgia. The first TCT trail building project took place in Upper Svaneti in 2016, and we’ve been working in Zeskho since 2018 to build a trail connection between the Upper Svaneti and Racha regions. You’ll build on the work of previous crews to continue this critical new connection of the TCT. This project takes place in a highly remote area of Georgia, in the High Caucasus Mountains.
2026 Volunteer Camp Dates
International volunteer dates (Friday to the following Sunday):
Typical Weekly Schedule
Friday: Arrival in Kutaisi. Dinner, team building, orientation, and safety briefings.
Saturday: Drive to work site and pack in. Camp orientation, dinner.
Sunday–Saturday: Trail work. Seven-day hitch focused on trail-building, maintenance, or conservation projects.
Sunday: Pack out and return to Kutaisi. Drive back to Kutaisi for lunch. Option to stay in Kutaisi that night.
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. Your fee covers all your costs for the session, including food, transportation, and training by our fantastic local crew leaders. If extra funds are available, we use it to sponsor spots for local volunteers, which creates a better cultural exchange experience for everyone. The volunteer fee also includes TCTA membership for one year, giving you first access to all of the trail updates, webinars, news, and more!
The total cost of participation in the volunteer program in Georgia is USD $800 for the 10-day program.
What is included:
• Two nights’ accommodation (Friday and the following Sunday) in Kutaisi
• Transportation between Kutaisi and the work site
• All meals from Friday dinner to Sunday 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 Georgia
• Transportation to Kutaisi
• 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 directly covers your time in the field, but still does not cover all of our expenses related to the program. Running the volunteer program comes with overheads, including staffing, food, equipment, insurance, transportation, and administrative costs. Making these opportunities possible for this 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.
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 ($600) 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.
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.
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
I enjoyed discovering a beautiful mountainous area that was new to me, I also enjoyed time spent in Kutaisi and trips from Kutaisi to Zeskho and back. The work that I had to do also brought enjoyment to me, since I do not perform physical labour on a daily basis. But most of all I enjoyed a company of smart, interesting and diverse group of individuals who come from all walks of life.
Levan, 2025 volunteer
