Help out at our hikers’ community hostel in the heart of Dilijan National Park, Armenia

Details

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  Description

  We are Tom and Tenny, a British–Iranian–Armenian couple (long story) who moved to Dilijan several years ago. We own a small hostel which is open seasonally between June and September to coincide with the hiking season.
  
  Running a hostel is a big commitment, so we'd love your help to keep our place running smoothly and to make improvements as we go. We currently have opportunities for individuals with practical and DIY skills – see the section below about the help we're looking for to get more details. We live next door and you'll be working directly with us during your stay.
  
  The hostel is a social enterprise, and our goal is to provide a community hub for hikers in the area. By doing so we help to sustain the trail network in Dilijan National Park and strengthen conservation efforts in the area. Our focus on guests who are here to explore the area puts emphasis on the destination's hiking opportunities. The hostel is used by local trail maintenance crews while they're working in the area.
  
  Tom is the co-founder of a long-distance trail network called the Transcaucasian Trail which is being built across the Caucasus. In fact, ours is the first dedicated hostel for hikers anywhere on the TCT! Many of our guests stop here having spent weeks hiking from the far south of Armenia or from neighbouring Georgia.
  
  So if you're keen to be part of this mission, you like the idea of spending time in one of Armenia's best-loved beauty spots, and you have the kind of background we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you!
  
  (Please note that copy-pasted or AI-generated messages from Workawayers whose profiles and availability do not match our stated needs will be rejected. If you're serious about the opportunities we offer, the least we expect is that you take the time to write to us individually. Thank you!)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We have been living in Dilijan for many years and know the area extremely well. You’ll be based in the heart of Dilijan’s old town, within easy reach of the National Park’s extensive network of trails, making this a perfect base for exploring northern Armenia and spending time in some of the best mountain and forest wildernesses in the country. We have strong ties to many local businesses and entrepreneurs and can connect you with almost any opportunity you might desire. We speak three languages and have a constant flow of hikers from all over the world coming through the hostel. In short, there's plenty of cultural exchange opportunities to keep your occupied and interested!

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  Help

  Please read the following section carefully. We've been working with seasonal volunteers for seven (7) years now, and we find it's best for everyone if we are as specific as possible about the kind of help we need and the kind of volunteers we'll accept. When you write to us, please tell us exactly how you can fulfil the kinds of help we're requesting. Thank you!
  
  It's now August and the hostel will be closed to the public from 1 September 2025. Until then, we need physically capable volunteers – ideally with existing practical skills and experience – to assist us with simple DIY and gardening projects to maintain and improve the hostel for next year, as well as the cottage next door and the surrounding outdoor areas.
  
  – For this role we're looking for an initial one-week commitment, with longer stays possible if things go well.
  – We'll give preference volunteers with some prior carpentry or gardening experience, as many of the projects you'll be helping us on involve assisting with building outdoor furniture and fencing, garden maintenance, and similar work.
  – We're keen to hear from volunteers with experience in painting, decorating, and general DIY, to help make other basic improvements in and around the property.
  – We are also happy to share our skills and knowledge with less-experienced volunteers who show enthusiasm for our mission and are willing to help hard during their time with us in return for learning new skills.
  – You'll be assisting us personally with these projects and helping directly under our supervision, so teamwork and communication skills will be important qualities. You'll need to be fluent in English to help avoid misunderstandings and miscommunication.
  – Tasks are physical in nature and will involve moving materials by hand and wheelbarrow, assisting with shopping trips for building materials, the supervised lifting of large and heavy objects, helping with basic hand tools, and using power tools under supervision. You'll need to be fit, strong, safety-conscious, and able to manage your exertion levels.
  
  Thanks for reading, and if that sounds like your kind of opportunity in exchange for living in the heart of the National Park for a few weeks, drop us a line!

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Persian (Farsi): Fluent
  Armenian: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We're keen to learn Russian and/or Italian, and we can help you learn Armenian or Farsi (Persian).
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  Accommodation

  During your time with us, you will be sharing a bedroom with other volunteers. You’ll have the use all of the communal facilities at the hostel. You’ll also have access to a secure storage room and workshop with a large range of tools and materials.

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  What else ...

  We’re long-time international travellers, as well as experts on the local area and the hiking opportunities in the national park. We can help you arrange local transport to explore the region more widely during your free time. We speak the local language and are here to help you get the most out of your time here!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is a public parking area 50m from our house for larger vehicles, and we have a private driveway on which we may be able to accommodate a small van (Sprinter/Transit/4x4 or similar). It might be necessary to move it occasionally for deliveries or construction vehicles.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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