What is Provided:
Trip Inclusions:
All lodge/camp accommodation, two nights' hotel in UB, daily guided fishing (two anglers per guide), airport reception, ground transfers in Mongolia.
Non inclusions:
Transportation to/from Mongolia, visitor visa fees, mandatory medical evacuation insurance, optional trip cancellation/interruption insurance, hotel and restaurant expenses en route to/from/in Mongolia, fishing gear, gratuities.
You will be responsible for dining while in UB. There are now many very good restaurants in the city. Your guide will be more than happy to provide suggestions and help make arrangements.
Prior to departure, we will provide you with a comprehensive 'Trip Planner' that includes a complete packing list. ou'll need to bring personal items, suitable fishing clothing and tackle. We will have flies to share.
This price includes only transportation within Mongolia.
The price includes field accommodation and two nights lodging in Ulaanbaatar, exclusive of personal items such as telephone calls, laundry, and bar.
The price covers all fishing licenses and access fees. Many fishing operators in Mongolia do not follow the law and several international anglers have been'most appropriately'detained, fined and their equipment confiscated. We follow a strict catch- and-release policy, including the use of single, barbless hooks.
All guests must secure comprehensive medical (health), evacuation and travel insurance prior to departure.
The price covers necessary support staff, including local guide conversant in English/Mongolian, cook, rivers, camp staff and English speaking fishing guides (two clients/one guide).
Visa fees and airport departure tax are not included. The departure tax is generally rolled into the international ticket price. If not, anticipate paying approximately US $13 at the airport.
Gratuities are not included. Most guests opt for approximately 10% of the total trip cost.
Gear Recommendations:
The 'classic' set-up is a single-handed 8 or 9 wt rod for taimen and a second 5 or 6 wt rod for trout. Many guests also bring spare rods. Make sure your reel has a functional drag and is fully loaded with backing. Large arbor reels are useful.
Floating lines cover most of the fishing applications, while sink-tips can be good at times as well.
This can be a great river for spey and switch rods. Spey and switch rods work well from the shore. 7-9 wt is a good choice. Most guests have a tough time fishing the spey rods from the boat, while some folks can handle a 10-11 foot switch from the boat. In general, it is best to have a single hand rod for fishing from the boat and use the spey for working particular runs.
For trout and grayling, folks typically fish with a weight-forward floating line for both wet and dry flies. Sometimes we might suggest putting on some weight to go deep, so packing an ecologically sensitive variety of split shot is a good idea.
Bring a good supply of leader material. Nine foot or longer leaders suitable for salmon or big steelhead work fine for taimen; We recommend 20#. Normal trout leaders are great for the lenok Amur trout; 3X or 4X is fine. Bring clippers, hemostats, and tippet. We have landing nets. There are also Amur pike in these sections of river, so if you want to target these toothy critters you will want to bring some 30# wire leader.
We have extras of just about everything in camp, however, we recommend that you bring a backup rod, reel, and line, just in case.
The guides will supply many of the taimen flies. They have their own patterns and tying equipment in camp. If you have patterns that you want to try, please bring them, and we can make some good recommendations for you as well. Taimen fishing is an evolving pursuit and we're always amazed by what works. For the trout, an assortment of general patterns works just fine.
Please bring only rubber-soled wading boots with no studs. Please, no felt and no spikes on the boots. The spikes tear the boats, and in an effort to prevent invasive species transferal MRO is no longer allowing felt soles.
What to Bring:
Due to weight restrictions for the flight from UB to camp, we require that all guests carry no more than forty-five pounds (45 lbs) or twenty kilograms (20 kg) of luggage to the river. Excess luggage may be left at the hotel in UB.
We suggest packing as if preparing to fish a river in Montana the first week in October. There might be snow, but it's far more likely that the days will be sunny and warm (above 60 degrees F). The evenings will generally be cool, sometimes just below freezing. Fishing gear, waterproof jacket, fleece or wool clothing, synthetic long underwear, a good hat, gloves, and camp shoes should all be in your bag.
You will need to bring a sleeping bag rated to at least -10C (15F). The later in the season, the more likely you will encounter cold nights. Later season guests, please bring a sleeping bag rated on the warmer side. We supply sturdy cots, pads, and fluffy towels.
Toiletries/Medicines: If you need any of these things, bring them. We're a long way from a drug store. Sunscreen is a must. The Mongolian sunshine on the river can be intense. We also suggest toothpaste. Biting insects are very uncommon, but you might want to bring some bug juice in case.
Bring a fishing vest, chest pack, or hip pack. Waist or chest-high breathable waders are recommended, though it's also a good idea to have some neoprene socks for wet-wading when the weather is warm. A waterproof jacket, good hat, and polarized sunglasses (on a keeper) are must haves. It is not uncommon to start the day in waders, and end it wet-wading (or vice versa), as the weather can change rapidly and drastically.
Please bring a small waterproof bag that fits your personal 'day's fishing' stuff, e.g., camera, spare coat, etc. We have life jackets and coolers on the boats.
Please pack your river belongings in a large, waterproof dry bag. It's a good idea to bring an extra bag that you can leave at the hotel with items you won't need on the river, including a change of clothes for the flight home.
There might be snow or rain, but it's far more likely that the days will be sunny and warm (60-70 degrees F). As unbelievable as it may sound, be prepared for both snow and wet wading even during the early and late season. Evenings are generally cool, sometimes just below freezing.
Please try to keep your luggage to a reasonable size. If you bring everything on the 'personal gear' and 'fishing gear' lists, you should be all set. The flights generally allow you to transport only 20 kg's (45 lbs) worth of gear without extra charge.
You will need three bags for this trip: one bag to leave at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar with your 'city' gear, one large and one small waterproof bag for the river gear. We recommend leaving a bag at the hotel with items you won't need on the river, including clean clothes for the flight home. On the river, your luggage will be transported primarily by boat. This means it will be exposed to the elements. Your small, waterproof bag should be large enough to hold the personal gear you'll want while fishing.
Weather Conditions:
Departures are carefully planned for the best fishing and weather conditions based upon more than twenty years experience in Mongolia. These rivers are wild and remote. Precipitation can come at any season. Weather is increasingly difficult to predict. Mongolia is located along the 48th parallel with daylight conditions and temperatures very similar to Montana. June - August are generally warm. September is autumnal with warm days and cool evenings. The weather is chilly by mid-October.
Packing List:
Guests receive a comprehensive packing list well prior to departure.
Duration:
The various adventures provide six to eight days on the water. A fly fishing journey to Mongolia requires a commitment of approximately nine to eleven days including international travel.
Travel to Mongolia:
Getting to Mongolia is surprisingly easy and Orvis Travel can assist with air arrangements. Mongolia (ULN) is served by direct flights via Beijing, Seoul, Istanbul, Moscow, Berlin and Tokyo. Connecting times via Beijing or Seoul are generally only a couple of hours. The approximate flight times are:
- Beijing – ULN: 2.2 hours
- Seoul – ULN: 3.5 hours
- Tokyo – ULN: 5.5 hours
- Moscow – ULN: 6 hours
- Berlin – ULN: 9.5 hours
- Istanbul – ULN: 10 hours
Visa:
US citizens do not currently need a visa to enter Mongolia and/or to transit Beijing or Seoul. Please contact us regarding up-to-date requirements.
Arrivals and Departures:
Our host outfitter handles all in-country logistics from the moment you arrive in Mongolia until your departure. A professional English-speaking guide and driver provide for all airport transfers. Guests stay in a comfortable hotel in the heart of the capital city, Ulaanbaatar, one night upon arrival and one night prior to departure. Guests explore the city as they choose. A professional tour guide is available 24/7 to help arrange for dinners, special tours, shopping, concerts, etc.
To/From the River:
On Mongolia River Outfitters trips, guests fly directly from the capital to/from the river via chartered aircraft. On Fish Mongolia Trips, guests fly to/from the countryside via commercial airline and are transferred to the river via 4x4.
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.