Mongolia Taimen Fishing

Mongolia River Outfitters

This remote and challenging river to access lies in the eastern corner of Mongolia. The river flows through a vast landscape of grassy steppes and rugged mountains. The remote eastern steppes border the Khentii Mountain Range to the west, known as Genghis Khaan's birthplace.
The river extends over 250 miles through a lush and productive environment that hosts a remarkable population of taimen, lenok, Amur trout, and Amur pike. The pastoral landscape features rolling hills, tall cliffs, larch and Siberian pine forests, and vibrant grasslands. The river’s structure is dynamic, with various shallow runs, deep pools, quick riffles, and long braids, offering fly anglers endless opportunities to catch large fish.
Taimen:  Although several giant taimen (50+inches) are landed each season, most Mongolian taimen caught on the fly are generally between 25-40 inches.
All Float Trips:  All packages cover 80 to 120 miles of river. You'll cover ten to twelve miles of the river each day.
Season:  Late August - October. Mongolia lies along the 48th parallel, experiencing temperatures similar to Montana's. August is typically warm, while September ushers in autumn-like temperatures, bringing cool evenings and chillier conditions by mid-October.

The Fishing Program:

Guides:  Mongolian and international world-class English-speaking guides. Two anglers per boat and guide. Guides rotate daily, so guests fish with a variety of individual experts.
Boats:  Clackacraft Drift Boats with comfortable seats and large secure casting platforms. You'll cover ten to twelve miles of river each day.
Equipment:  All trout and taimen flies are provided. You will need to bring your own gear. A detailed packing list is included in our confirmation packet.
Best Taimen Rods:  Single-handed 8–9 weight. Dry fly and streamer.
Best Trout Rods:  Single-handed 4–6 weight. Primarily dry fly.
Fishing License:  A $500 Mongolian fishing license and taimen permit are included in the package.
Camp Staff:  The camp staff will transport all gear downstream to the next camp. After you get off the river each day, your bags will be waiting, beds made, fires lit, and dinner prepared.
All Camps:  All camps have simple shower and toilet facilities located in specially designed tents. Camps are designed for minimal impact, with no permanent infrastructure. Taimen need cold, clean water, which is why our outfitter pays attention to carbon.
Teepees or Gers:  You'll stay in comfortable gers, the traditional felt-covered dwellings known as yurts or canvas Tipitents along the river. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag rated to 15F.

Mongolia Taimen

Mongolian Trout also known as Lenok

Headwaters Expedition - Package #1

Headwaters Expedition:  10-nights and 6 to 7-days on the river.
2025 USD:  $7,950.00 per person. Group Size:  Four anglers.
Explore the uppermost headwaters of the Taimen Sanctuary in the historical and sacred birthplace of Genghis Khan. This wilderness stretch of river is wild and remote. Taimen of all sizes lurk around every bend. This section of the river also boasts some of the highest populations of Amur Trout, lenok, and grayling, along with a few Amur pike.

Package #1 - Lodging

For the Headwaters Expedition, you'll float between camps strategically placed along the river. You'll stay in traditional Mongolian gers (yurts) or large teepees complete with beds and simple bedrolls. Each evening, when you arrive at camp, the professional staff has your bags waiting, beds made, fires lit, and dinner prepared. (The camp team transfers equipment down the river using gear boats.)
Book now for 2026.

Upper River Adventure - Package #2

Upper River Adventure:  9-nights and 6-days on the river
2025 USD:  $7,950.00 per person
Group Size:  Six anglers.
Classic and comfortable drift boat trip covering 100 miles of the world's first Taimen Sanctuary. The upper river is wide and gentle, with no rapids, yet the flow is steady, with plenty of riffles and pools. Flyfish for taimen, lenok, amur trout, and even pike on new sections each day.

Package #2 - Gers along the River

For the Upper River package, you'll travel downstream between seven camps strategically placed along the river. You'll stay in comfortable gers, also known as yurts.
This trip involves an adventure-filled drive across the Steppe to and from the river. The professional staff has your bags waiting, beds made, fires lit, and dinner prepared. There are roe deer along the banks, massive Whooper Swans, and flocks of waterfowl on the river.

Lower River Expedition - Package #3:

11-nights and 7-days on the river
2025 USD:  $7,950.00 per person
Group Size:  Six anglers.
Float nearly 100 miles of the remote lower stretch of the world's first Taimen Sanctuary.

Package #3 - Teepees along the River

On Lower River trips, you'll stay overnight in comfortable Tentipi tents that are spacious enough to stand up in and store all your gear.
The Lower River trips are for those who don’t mind just a bit of “roughing it” in order to discover a glorious river full of taimen, lenok, amur trout, and even pike.

Combine Two Trips - Package #4

While you're here, combine two trips for 13, 14, or 21 days on the river.
Combine a Headwaters Expedition with an Upper River and/or Lower River journey for the ultimate experience.
Short Combo Trip: Two trips (13-14 days) on the same river
$14,500.00 per person
Long Combo Trip: Three trips (21 days) on the same river
$19,950.00 per person
Non-anglers are charged the same rate as anglers, minus $500.00.

Fly Fishing for Taimen

Fishing Days:  Most anglers prefer to spend the entire day on the water, often not returning to camp until sunset. However, the guides can row ahead if you wish to arrive at camp earlier. Each camp is located along a uniquely beautiful stretch of river that offers excellent fishing opportunities.
Physical Condition:  You should be in good physical condition for these adventures, especially if you’d like to wade-walk along the river, as it has a rocky bottom and a strong current.
Communications:  During the trip, Email and Wi-Fi are only available in Ulaanbaatar. There is a satellite phone on the river for emergency use only, and the guides carry short-distance radios for communication.
Power:  There are no generators in the camps—only the light from candles and the stars.

Teepees or Gers along the River

Two anglers per teepee or ger (yurt), depending on your package. The camps are rustic and comfortable, much like an African-tented safari.

Gers along the River

The camps are one day’s float apart, each situated along a uniquely beautiful stretch of river with great fishing a stone's throw from your tent.

Interior of Teepee or Ger

The gers are approximately nine feet high and twenty feet in diameter. Each ger has a woodburning stove, a wash basin, a small writing table, camp chairs, two beds, and woolen carpets. There are plenty of hooks for hanging jackets, waders, and gear.

Meals at Camps

Meals:  Excellent streamside meals are prepared by veteran chefs. Fresh meats, vegetables, breads, and an assortment of Mongolian dishes and classic Western fare. Breakfast and dinner are served in a dedicated dining ger (yurt). In very remote camps, meals are served in a central wall tent with tables, chairs, and a wood stove. Every morning starts with coffee/tea service in your ger or teepee, along with a fresh fire is started in the stove. A dedicated “shore lunch” crew sets up tables and chairs for mid-day dining along the river. Candle-lit multi-course dinners. Special diets can be accommodated. Enjoy sun-downers and hors d'oeuvres around the fire.
Beverages:  Coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer, wine, and Mongolian vodka are available at camp and included in the package.

Getting Here:

You'll fly to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital city. Ulaanbaatar is serviced by regular flights from Seoul, Istanbul, Tokyo, and Frankfurt. USA citizens do not require a visa. (Some nationalities require a Mongolian travel visa, which is easily obtained through a simple online application.)
1.)  Trips begin and end with international arrival/departure from Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar (UB). An English-speaking guide and driver will greet you at the airport and manage all transfers. Upon arrival and the night of departure, the driver will drive you to a hotel in UB. All guests will have a private, single-occupancy hotel room in Ulanbaatar, which is included in the package.
2.)  All trips include an adventure-filled drive across the Mongolian Steppe to and from the river.
Departure Day:  For Buryat and Upper River trips, you will leave camp after an early breakfast for the drive back to Ulaanbaatar, typically arriving at the hotel early in the afternoon.
For Lower River itineraries, your adventure will continue as you explore the traditional Mongolian Steppe over the course of two days on your return to civilization. On the first day, you’ll cover half the distance to UB as you leave the mountains and emerge onto the great Mongolian Steppe. You’ll typically stay overnight in a hotel in the small town of Unduurkhan. The next day, you’ll depart early for the remaining half of the journey. You’ll reach the hotel in UB early in the afternoon.

The Packages Include:

• All necessary ground transfers in Mongolia
• Two nights at a hotel in Ulaanbaatar (UB)
• Breakfast at the hotel in UB
• Lodging at camp per the itinerary
• Three meals per day on the river
• All beverages, including alcohol, while at camp
• Hotel night in Unduurkhan, on the day of departure from Lower River camp
• Guided fishing
• A fishing license, valued at $500.00
• Taimen and trout flies

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to Mongolia, and return
• Incidental expenses incurred in UB, including meals and beverages
• Fishing equipment
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• A sleeping bag, rated to 15F
• Departure tax, approximately $13, usually included in airfare
• Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
• Travel insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.