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. 

A brand-new section of trail in Zeskho. 2025 volunteers will continue building this trail.
A brand-new section of trail in Zeskho. 2025 volunteers will continue building this trail.

Location 

The 2025 Summer 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. This project takes place in a highly remote area of Georgia, in the High Caucasus Mountains.

Georgia IVP

2025 Volunteer Camp Dates

International volunteer dates (Friday to the following Sunday):

Group #1: July 25 – August 3
Group #2: August 1 – August 10
Group #3: August 8 – August 17
Group #4: August 15 – August 24
Group #5: August 22 – August 31

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.

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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 total cost of participation in the volunteer program in Georgia is USD $600 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 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 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.

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 July 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
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