Taimen Wilderness Float
Mongolia
Mongolia is an ancient and mysterious country in Northern Asia and the homeland of one of the most aggressive apex predators that swim in freshwater. Known locally as the “River Wolf,” the Taimen can grow to over 100 kilograms and are only found in the most pristine waters.
Accommodation
Mongolian Tents
Season
June – October
Species
Taimen, Amur Pike, Lenok
Style
Fly-fishing
FISHING FOR THE LARGEST SALMONID ON THE PLANET
Highlights:
- Chase the Giant Taimen: Fish for the world’s largest and oldest salmonid, the legendary Taimen, known to exceed five feet and attack surface flies with explosive power. You’ll also target Lenok trout, Arctic grayling, and fierce Amur pike.
- Unmatched Solitude: Explore Mongolia’s vast, empty landscapes, where you can fish wild rivers all day without seeing another soul. It’s the least densely populated country on earth, offering true wilderness.
- Expedition-Style River Floats: Drift for days through protected river corridors, camping each night on secluded banks under immense star-filled skies. Every bend reveals untouched scenery and perfect water.
- Authentic Cultural Encounters: Meet nomadic herders, visit traditional gers, and experience Mongolia’s centuries-old way of life between fishing sessions.
9 DAY PACKAGE
US$7,900 per angler
- Airport transfers & transportation to rivers.
- All meals, lodging, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Mongolian vodka at camp.
- Five-day guided float trip through the Mongolian wilderness.
- Conservation and fishing permits.
- Trout and taimen flies.
This trip offers the opportunity to share some of the world’s last wild rivers with the planet’s largest trout. These watersheds are designated as Taimen sanctuaries and cannot be accessed by foreigners without special national government permission. Our partners have exclusive access and represent hundreds of kilometers of healthy taimen rivers conserved in partnership with local communities.
All trips are limited to very small groups of four or six anglers and every stretch of river rests for long periods between trips. The fishing is a combination of drift boat and wade-walk.
Target Species:
Taimen, Amur trout, Lenok, Amur pike, and Asp.
Environment:
Taimen require vast and pristine river ecosystems to survive. There are only a handful of taimen populations left in the world and all fishing is catch-and-release, fly-fishing only with single, barbless hooks.
Guides:
A mix of Mongolian and international guides. Two anglers per guide. Guides rotate daily so guests fish with variety of individual experts. They are seasoned veterans with decades of experience, and you’ll no doubt enjoy their knowledge and enthusiasm for the country, fly-fishing, and for taimen conservation.
Boats & Equipment:
Drift boats travel downstream through a stunning wilderness canyon. Each boat accommodates two guests and one guide.
All flies are supplied. Anglers bring personal items, suitable fishing clothing and tackle. We provide a detailed packing list. Best taimen rods: single handed 8 – 9 weight. Best trout rods: single handed 4 – 6 weight. Taimen: dry-fly and streamer. Trout: primarily dry.
The camps provide access to and help protect hundreds of kilometers of river. The camps are rustic and very comfortable. Each camp is designed as a place to unwind after a fun day on the river. In the evening, the guides and guests gather together around the table for a candle-lit meal. After dinner guests typically relax, enjoying the warmth of the wood stove or sitting out under the stars drinking tea, sipping wine, and sharing stories.
Lodging/Camping:
Guests enjoy single, non-sharing hotel rooms in Ulaanbaatar.
River accommodation is based upon two anglers sharing a spacious ger or tipi tent (depending upon trip).
All camps have simple toilet and hot shower facilities.
While fishing, the camp staff transport all gear to the next camp. Depending upon the trip and the season, these camps are either Nordic tipi camps or traditional Mongolian ger camps. Every evening, when you drift into the next stream-side taimen camp, your bags are waiting, the bed is made and the shower water is hot. Cocktails at sunset with dinner to follow. After a fun night in a super comfortable camp, it’s up in the morning to go explore entirely new waters. After breakfast just grab your fly rods, walk about twenty steps to the river, jump into a boat with our guide, and head downstream.
Food & Drinks:
A highly experienced team of private cooks, camp staff, and guides supports every trip. The camp cooks are true professionals, and all meals are designed for Western tastes. You can expect big breakfasts, hot lunches served buffet-style on the river each day and multi-course dinners that feature plenty of meat, fresh vegetables, and fruits. Breakfasts and dinners are served in spacious wall-tents or in large gers warmed with a wood-burning stove. Soft drinks, beer, wine, and classic Mongolian vodka are provided while at camp
WIFI:
Wi-Fi is not available in any of the camp locations, which means that once you depart Ulaanbaatar, you will be offline and totally unplugged for the duration of the trip (something that is getting harder to find these days). Some U.S. cell phones may work in Ulaanbaatar but none will work in the camp. There is very good Wi-Fi access at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Other Activities:
On request, guided horseback riding, hiking, and cultural visits can be arranged.
How to get there:
Mongolia is surprisingly easy to reach. Most international visitors do not require a visa prior to arrival. Several non-stop flights arrive daily from Seoul, Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo and the USA. Seoul is only 3+ hours from Mongolia. There are usually multiple daily flights. Istanbul is only 8+ hours away and a great option if traveling via Europe. There are non-stop flights from Istanbul to Mongolia six days a week.
Trips begin and end with international arrival/departure from Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar (“UB”).
Drivers and guides greet you at the airport and manage all transfers. Your package and itinerary include a commercial flight from Ulaanbaatar to a regional airstrip. From there, you will take a 4×4 overland to reach the river and your first camp location. At the end of your trip, you will fly back to Ulaanbaatar, where you can either overnight once again, or fly out of the country that same night.
Documents Required:
A valid passport is required. Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and other Western European nations do not need a visa for tourist trips of up to ninety days.
Travel Arrangements:
We take care of all flights, transfers and hotels to and from the lodge and will be included in the final quote.
Guests have the option of booking their own flights as well.
Sample Itinerary
Trip Duration: 10 Days
Day 1:
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar. Transfer provided to a hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Day 2:
Drive overland in 4X4s to the Ger Camp located on the river. Pass the famous Chignhis Kahn statue along the way.
Day 3:
4X4 drive deep into the headwaters, arrive at the river and spend the afternoon wade fishing before dinner.
Day 4 – 7:
Full days of fishing and camping as you float and camp through the beautiful Mongolia wilderness. You cover about 10-12 miles each day with a blend of fishing from the boat and wade fishing.
Day 8:
Overland travel via 4X4 back to Ulaanbaatar with an included hotel night.
Day 9:
Transfer provided to airport (UBN) to travel home.
Double Occupancy Rates:
$7,950 USD per angler
What’s Included:
- Two nights hotel in UB (arrival/departure).
- Airport transfers.
- Transportation to/from the river.
- Guide services.
- Conservation and fishing permits.
- Trout and taimen flies.
- All meals, lodging, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Mongolian vodka at camp.
- All guests will have private, single-accommodation hotel rooms in Ulanbaatar, unless requesting to share.
What’s Not Included:
- International airfare and visas.
- Meals and drinks in UB.
- Tips for guides and staff.
- Trip insurance.
GALLERY
Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes taimen fishing in Mongolia so special?
Mongolia is home to the world’s largest salmonid, the taimen, which can reach lengths of over 5 feet and live for decades. The country’s vast, undeveloped river systems provide a pristine wilderness experience where anglers can pursue these apex predators with little fishing pressure, making it one of the last truly wild fisheries on Earth.
When is the best season to fly fish for taimen in Mongolia?
The prime taimen fishing season runs from June to early October. Early summer offers active post-spawn fish, while September into early October brings aggressive feeding before winter. Weather can shift rapidly, so anglers should be prepared for a range of conditions, from warm summer days to chilly autumn mornings.
What is the travel experience like for a taimen trip in Mongolia?
Taimen rivers are found in remote regions, so reaching them usually involves a domestic flight from Ulaanbaatar, followed by several hours of overland travel or even riverboat journeys. Anglers typically stay in comfortable ger camps or riverside lodges, experiencing not only world-class fishing but also Mongolia’s nomadic culture, vast steppe landscapes, and incredible wildlife.
What kind of wildlife and scenery can I expect in Mongolia?
Beyond its legendary taimen rivers, Mongolia is home to incredible wildlife. Anglers often spot golden eagles, argali sheep, ibex, and migratory waterfowl along the steppe. In the forests and mountains, elusive species like snow leopards and wolves roam. Landscapes range from vast rolling grasslands to dramatic canyons and alpine valleys, making every fishing day a visual experience as much as a sporting one.