Fishing Experience
This is a rare opportunity to fish some of the last truly wild river systems on earth, home to the largest salmonid in the world. These watersheds are designated taimen sanctuaries and are strictly protected, requiring special national permits for access. Through long-standing partnerships with local communities, our operators have exclusive access to hundreds of kilometers of healthy, untouched taimen water.

Fishing pressure is intentionally kept low. Trips are limited to just four or six anglers, and each section of river is rested extensively between visits. Days are spent covering water by drift boat and on foot, combining float fishing with wade-and-walk sessions through prime holding water.

Target Species
Taimen, Amur trout, lenok, Amur pike, and asp.

Environment & Conservation
Taimen depend on vast, pristine river systems to survive, and only a handful of strongholds remain globally. These fisheries are protected with a strict catch-and-release policy. Fishing is fly-only, using single, barbless hooks, ensuring minimal impact on these fragile populations.

Guiding
Guiding is a blend of experienced Mongolian and international professionals, with two anglers per guide. Guides rotate throughout the week, offering a mix of perspectives, techniques, and local knowledge. Expect seasoned anglers with deep experience, not only in taimen fishing, but in the rivers, culture, and conservation efforts that make this fishery possible.

Boats & Equipment
Fishing is conducted from drift boats moving steadily downstream through dramatic, untouched wilderness. Each boat accommodates two anglers and one guide, allowing for focused, hands-on fishing throughout the day.

All flies are provided. Anglers should bring personal gear, appropriate clothing, and tackle, with a detailed packing list supplied ahead of the trip. Recommended setups include 8–9 weight single-handed rods for taimen, fished with large dry flies and streamers, and 4–6 weight rods for trout, where dry fly fishing dominates.

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.