On the River:

Each trip includes between six to eight full days of fishing. These are primarily drift-boat trips. The outfitter has a very unique approach. Each year, they set out a series of seasonal camps covering nearly four hundred miles of two rivers. Most camps consist of gers (yurts). A few very remote camps utilize tipis and tents. Guests float every day with their professional guides between camps. The “no drive” schedule means we explore a new stretch of river daily without a vehicle or motorboat shuttle.

The trips are supported by a full complement of staff, including professional fly fishing guides, cooks, housekeeping, servers, drivers, and gear boat rowers that take care of every detail.

Cool mornings start with one of the camp staff quietly entering your ger to light the wood stove, followed by individual coffee/tea service for each guest in their ger. Breakfast is served in a main dining area. After breakfast, guests and guides grab their fishing gear and jump into a waiting drift boat. The fishing starts right in front of camp. The pace is relaxed and you’ll have plenty of time to get out and wade interesting stretches with your guide. We’ve found it’s best to cover an average of ten to twelve miles of river daily. The fishing is consistently good through all sections of the river. Lunches are served streamside. After a day floating a beautiful river, the guide pulls your boat into the landing at the next river camp. The camp staff will meet you streamside and accompany you to your accommodation. You’ll find your gear in your ger, the campfires lit, dinner ready, and your camp bed made.

We would be happy to send to you a detailed itinerary for each of the Mongolia adventures.

One Outfitter. Two Rivers. Five Adventures:

Orvis works with one outfitter to provide five unique trips on two special Mongolian rivers.

• Fish Mongolia: “Headwaters Expedition” and “Classic Canyon Adventure”
• Mongolia River Outfitters: "Buryat Headwaters Expedition", “Upper River Adventure” and "Lower River Expeditions".

Most of these are drift boat trips with guests floating every day between pre-established camps. The more adventurous "Headwaters Expedition" uses camels to pack into a remote wilderness area. All of the adventures have great staff, camps, and gear.

The Mongolia River Outfitters trips take place in eastern Mongolia in a part of the country defined by rolling hills, birch forests, and tall grasslands. The Fish Mongolia trips take place in western Mongolia on a high-mountain river carved through a large canyon of limestone and granite.

Both streams have great fisheries and amazing scenery. Mongolia River Outfitter trips offer opportunities to fish for taimen, grayling, Amur pike, Amur trout, and Mongolian trout (lenok). Fish Mongolia trips offer opportunities to fish for taimen, grayling, and Mongolian trout (lenok).

Please contact us to discuss the options to best fit your preferred style of fishing and travel.

Conservation Efforts:

These fishing trips are designed to catalyze conservation. Both rivers are protected as "Taimen Sanctuaries." These globally recognized "Taimen Sanctuaries" were established through a conservation partnership organized by the local outfitter along with nine separate communities, the Government of Mongolia, and several international NGO's. More than four hundred miles of river are now conserved for taimen and other freshwater species due in part to the support of companies like Orvis. Motorboats and permanent tourism development are both outlawed. The streams are designated "fly-fishing only" for all international anglers. All fishing is strictly "catch and release" using "single-barbless hooks".

Taimen: The World’s Mega-Trout

The opportunity to chase the world’s largest salmonid is the reason anglers typically visit Mongolia. Taimen are the ultimate mega-trout. These rivers have very healthy taimen populations. However, taimen are big trophy fish, top-tier predators and generally not easy to catch. Taimen are one of fly-fishing’s most rewarding challenges. Taimen will attack a dry fly with a predatory aggression unlike any other freshwater fish. Most taimen caught on the fly measure between 30 - 40 inches and every year we encounter fish ranging up to 60 inches.

Amur Trout, Lenok, Grayling, and Amur Pike:

Trout fishing in Mongolia is generally spectacular. Both streams hold a fascinating variety of native trout and grayling rarely encountered beyond the borders of Mongolia. Most of these fish range from 15 and 22 inches. Trout pushing 30 inches are occasionally released.

Region/Terrain:

When most folks imagine Mongolia, they visualize the Gobi desert or the vast grassland steppe. Very few are familiar with northern Mongolia. This is a place of snowcapped mountains, vast forests, and meadows filled with wild flowers. There are thousands of miles of rivers and lakes in northern Mongolia. This is the land of the taimen.

Northern Mongolia sits at the top of two of Asia's major watersheds. The northwestern rivers drain into the vast Lake Baikal, and eventually the Arctic Ocean and the eastern rivers drain into the Amur River and the Pacific Ocean. There are only four rivers in Mongolia where international anglers may legally fish. To avoid potential poaching from outsiders (these rivers are very near the Russian border'), the outfitters are particularly secretive about the names of the rivers, and specific locations for the floats. The government has designated both locations as 'Taimen Sanctuaries'. International anglers may not legally access these rivers without a permit secured through either Fly Fish Mongolia or Mongolia River Outfitters.

Together, these two rivers represent nearly 600 miles of taimen habitat conserved in partnership with local communities. At both locations, we use non-motorized drift boats to reach a string of isolated, environmentally progressive, and very comfortable 'glamp' camps. This allows us to provide a limited number of guests exclusive access to literally hundreds of miles of very fresh river.

Fly Fish Mongolia operates on western Mongolia's most awe-inspiring taimen and trout stream. This beautiful freestone river flows for nearly one hundred fifty miles through a majestic canyon. The limestone and granite cliffs rise hundreds of feet above the river. Steep gorges filled with larch and birch forests cascade towards the valley floor. Massive taimen lie in wait within the easily negotiated rapids and rock gardens. Banks covered with willows give way to deep pools, sparkling braids, and wide gravel bars.

Mongolia River Outfitters, operating in the eastern part of the country, is responsible for angling and fisheries conservation for the best Pacific watershed river. This stream flows for over two hundred and fifty miles through a lush and productive landscape. The river holds fantastic numbers of taimen, lenok, Amur trout, grayling, and Amur pike. The landscape is pastoral. Rolling hills are punctuated by tall cliffs, forests of larch and Siberian pine, and extremely healthy grasslands. The bottomlands are filled with birch, popular, and willows. The stream is constantly changing with a variety of shallow runs, deep pools, quick riffles, and long braids, providing fly anglers with endless opportunities to encounter big fish.

Orvis Week Trip Dates:

Fish Mongolia:
August 3 - 13, 2025 (Classic Canyon Float)

August 5 - 15, 2026 (Classic Canyon Float)

Mongolia River Outfitters:
September 17 - 26, 2025 (Upper River Adventure)

October 2 - 11, 2026 (Upper River Adventure)

September 24 - October 5, 2025 (Lower River Expedition)

Price:

From $7,950 per angler, double occupancy, 2 anglers per guide
Price includes $500 Mongolian fishing license and conservation fee
*Accommodations based on 2 anglers sharing a tent/gear and boat. Singles will be paired up.

Included:

• Airport transfers, domestic flights and vehicle transfers in Mongolia
• Two nights hotel lodging in Ulaanbaatar - (exclusive of personal items such as telephone calls, laundry, and bar)
• All lodging on the river
• Meals and beverages (coffee/tea, soft drinks, wine, beer and vodka) while on the river
• Breakfast only in Ulaanbaatar
• Fishing license and conservation fees
• All taimen flies needed for the trip
• These are fully-guided trips supported by support staff, including a local guide conversant in English/Mongolian, a cook, rivers, camp staff, and English-speaking fishing guides (two clients/one guide)

Not included:

• Travel insurance including medical and evacuation coverage will be required in advance before beginning your adventure (available through Orvis Adventures)
• International airfare, taxes, or visa fees
• Gratuities
• Lunch/dinner in Ulaanbaatar
• Personal items such as toiletries, medications, etc.
• Rod and tackle other than flies
• Sleeping bag, waders, and personal fishing clothing (details available in the pre-trip planning material)

Airport Transfer:

After clearing immigration/customs, you'll be met by a member of Mongolia River Outfitter's staff and transferred to your hotel. It's approximately a twenty-minute drive from the airport to your hotel in the city center.

Wildlife:

Besides the incredible fishing (of course) the healthy riparian habitat is good for wildlife. We occasionally see mink, sable and beaver. It's not uncommon to hear wolves in the evenings. There are fantastically large Siberian marmots cheerily whistling along the banks. Birds are generally the highlight, including numerous raptors spotted along the forested river bottom.

The Nomads:

Along the river journey, and particularly on the drives to/from the river, we will certainly encounter the unique Mongolian nomads. It's a marvelous event, getting to see and interact with these amazing people and their ancient ways. Watching the Nomads dressed in their traditional costumes while they gallop across the wide open spaces to their brilliant white gers sometimes feels like we have had a chance to step back in time. At your request, we can often make an impromptu visit to private Mongolian homes.

Communication:

Email, telephone, cell, fax, etc. are all readily available in Ulaanbaatar. Once outside of UB, you are beyond the reach of all of these. In the field, we have satellite phone for emergency use only and the guides and drivers carry short distance radios.

Hotel:

Several new hotels are completed each year, constantly improving the market. MRO knows them all very well. We will make a selection based upon a history of excellent service and a convenient location.

Laundry:

There are no 'official' laundry services on the river. If you're in a pinch, the staff can do some washing and line drying for you. The hotel in UB has laundry services.

Additional Activities:

Your group will have full access to the support services of MRO/FM's professional staff and large, international office located in downtown UB. They will be able to direct you to the capital's very interesting restaurants, monasteries, museums, performances, and shops. We highly recommend that you make full use of this complimentary service. The office staff are wonderful folks and will help you make the most of your time in Mongolia's very unique capital city.

Reservations, Deposits & Payments

The deposit is 50% of the trip price unless stated differently in the trip proposal and materials (trip planner and confirmation email). In some cases, deposits are non-refundable, this depends on the destination and will be clearly noted in the trip proposal and materials as well. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. Beginning November 1st, 2024 a convenience fee of 3% will be applied to all credit card transactions. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. The balance will be charged automatically to the credit card used for the deposit, unless otherwise specified. Any changes made to the method of payment after the final balance has been collected are subject to processing fees.

A reservation form and release are required prior to departure.

All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another.

Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Adventures reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure.

Planning information

When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, pre- and post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Although cancellation fees may be higher for some trips (stated in the trip proposal and materials), the following minimum cancellation fees will apply:

For trips that include an Orvis gift card or Orvis merchandise, the retail value of the gift card or merchandise is non-refundable upon delivery. Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather.

We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement.

Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees.

Cancellation Insurance

Your planning information includes information for travel insurance covering cancel for any reason, cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage.

Share policies

Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip.

Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived.

Passports and documents

International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions.

Arrival and Departure

Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day.

Equipment & Clothing

You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information.

Airline reservations

The land cost of your trip does not include airfare.

Limitation of liability

This section defines Orvis Travel’s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully.

Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them.

All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation.

Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers.

Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.