Mongolia River Outfitters - Fish Mongolia

The River Camps:

Every year the outfitter sets out a string of camps along hundreds of miles of river. Much like an African tented safari, each camp is rustic and very comfortable. The campsites are all uniquely peaceful, designed to reflect Mongolian traditions and integrate with the country’s natural surroundings.

Most of the camps are composed of gers (yurts) complete with wool throw rugs and wood burning stoves. The more remote camps have either big canvas tipis or high-end tents. With their intricate lattice frames and insulating felt walls, sleeping in a cozy Mongolian ger is much like having a spacious streamside boutique hotel room. There are no generators or stereos, only the sounds of the trees and the river, the lights of candles and stoves, and the sparkling night stars. Toilet facilities and the hot showers are located in specially designed large tents that are both comfortable and private.

The unique and cozy camps are a highlight of any trip to Mongolia. Please contact us and we’ll be happy to describe in detail exactly what to anticipate at these wonderful camps.

Guides and Camp Staff:

The outfitter’s international team is outstanding. The fishing guides hail from some of the best lodges in the US, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina, and Mongolia. Mongolian culture venerates hospitality and the camp staff is no exception. They are an exceptional group of knowledgeable, hard-working, fun, and very attentive folks. They keep the atmosphere around camp both relaxed and professional. You’ll have a great time getting to know them, and they will make your visit remarkable.

Meals:

The cooks are veterans. The food is fresh, diverse and very well suited to Western tastes. There are big breakfasts, great shore lunches (usually hot), loads of snacks throughout the day, and multiple course dinners. The French-press coffee is excellent, the beer cold and the wine very palatable! Lodge meals are served either inside a dedicated dining ger (yurt) or central wall tent complete with tables, chairs, and wood stove.

The outfitter has yet to meet a special diet request that can’t be accommodated, but please let us know your special needs at least 90 days before departure.

Communication:

Email, telephone, cell, fax, etc. is all readily available in Ulaanbaatar. Once outside of Ulaanbaatar, you are beyond the reach of all of these. In the field, we have a satellite phone at camp for emergency use only.

Hotel in Ulaanbaatar:

Several new hotels are completed each year, constantly improving the market. We will make a selection based upon a history of excellent service and location.

Occupancy:

All guests enjoy a single-occupancy hotel room in Ulaanbaatar, unless requesting to share. River accommodation is based upon double occupancy. Each drift boat has one guide with two guests. Non-anglers are charged the same rate as anglers.

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.

One Outfitter. Two Rivers. Four Adventures:

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

• Fish Mongolia: “Headwaters Expeditions” and “Classic Canyons Adventures”
• Mongolia River Outfitters: “Upper River Ger Camps” 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.

The Rest of Mongolia:

Because these trips offer great scenery, culture, and camps, Mongolia often appeals to travelers who are interested in life experiences beyond great fishing. We can also easily help arrange for travel to other parts of Mongolia as a stand-alone or an add-on to a river trip.

Season:

The fishing season in Mongolia legally opens on June 15th and closes November 1. The opener coincides with the post-spawning period, when taimen begin feeding aggressively. This early season can be exceptional. Taimen hit hard on the surface, striking anything from stimulators to large mouse patterns.

Late July through early August can be a rainy period in Mongolia, but we've found in recent years that the fishing remains good. High water is a possibility during this time of year, but the taimen are so aggressive that some of the largest fish of the season seem to come to the fly during these conditions.

Autumn comes early to this part of Mongolia. The fall season starts in August and runs through September and early October. This is when Mongolia prepares for winter. The herders are busy cutting hay, trees are golden, and the fish are feeding like crazy. This is generally considered to be Mongolia's prime fishing season. Although perfect weather and water conditions are never guaranteed, the skies are normally bright and sunny with crystal clear water conditions.

By the end of September, nights have hard frosts. You might experience a snow flurry, bright sunny 'short sleeve' weather or both in the same day. Regardless, the drop in water temperature certainly seems to activate the taimen. You can see them moving towards the deeper pools. This is when the fish go through their last bout of aggressive feeding before winter. The weather might be chilly, but Mongolia's fall colors are beautiful, the ger fires are warm, and the fishing can be epic.

Fly Fish Mongolia is higher elevation, and fishes better in the early season from June through August. Mongolia River Outfitters is located on a lower altitude river five hundred miles (800 kilometers) to the east. Over there, the fishing season starts later and can easily extend through mid-October. Between the two operations, we are able to provide extremely good fishing from mid-June to the end of October.

We work hard to select the best times for weather and water. However, these are truly wild and remote rivers susceptible to flow fluctuations.

Species:

Taimen are perhaps the world's most incredible fly fishing experience. Every taimen you encounter'whether you miss it or land it'is sure to create a lasting memory.

Taimen are a pre-historic megafish, and the largest member of the salmonid family. Taimen will migrate great distances each year to access spawning, feeding, and winter habitats. Mongolian taimen do not run out to the ocean or even large lakes, preferring to spend their entire life cycle in the rivers where they were spawned.

In Mongolia, taimen can live for nearly 50 years and reach over sixty inches in length. Although we often catch several giant taimen every season, most Mongolian taimen caught on the fly are generally between 25 and 40 inches.

Taimen are giant predators, renowned for a ferocious appetite and explosive strike. Their main diet is 'small' fish and they do take well-presented streamers. However, taimen often feed on the surface, searching out small mammals and even ducklings. This means taimen aggressively take skated or gurgling surface flies, too. Taimen will absolutely explode on the fly, sometimes coming completely out of the water on the strike. On witnessing this impressive smash and grab many anglers pull too soon and miss the hook up. The trick is to keep stripping until you feel the weight of the fish, and then set the hook. If you miss the first strike, slam that fly right back on the water. That big, angry fish will usually come back around and absolutely hammer your fly multiple times!

Mongolia can be an excellent trout-fishing destination, too. While taimen are often the big draw, the same pristine and productive water that holds monster taimen also produces hard-fighting lenok and grayling, and at times rare and elusive Amur trout and pike as well.

Lenok are an ancient and beautiful Siberian trout. They have golden bodies, bright red bands and black spots. Throughout the fishing season, these native trout feed aggressively on the surface. They wait along banks to slurp the abundant grasshopper, mayfly and stonefly hatches. A large Siberian trout will happily destroy a mouse pattern skated across a shallow run or behind a rock. They will smash bead-heads dropped beneath riffles. Fly-fishing for these native trout can be a great diversion from casting big flies for big taimen.

Grayling are a main food source for taimen. In fact, taimen will often come from nowhere and attack the grayling on the end of your line. While wading, we often watch dozens of grayling casually sipping small hatches within a few feet of us. These fish are wonderful fun on a light rod and, amazingly, they will even nail small mouse patterns!

Amur trout are an incredibly rare species of trout, found only in a few drainages in the world, including Mongolia River Outfitter's eastern operation. These fish are always beautiful and typically large, usually attaching the same big flies we fish for taimen. They are usually a favorite of the guides because they are so rare.

As a bonus, the unique Amur pike is also found in the eastern rivers. These toothy, aggressive predators attack big streamers in deep pools and around sloughs off the main channel, and put a serious bend in an 8 or 9 wt rod.

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.

Typical Weather:

Weather in Mongolia can vary drastically throughout the season, even from day to day or hour to hour. Anglers want to be prepared for everything from sunny warm weather to snow on any day of the season.

Most of the time, the weather is great and weather systems rarely last for more than a few hours.

Orvis Week Trip Dates:

Fish Mongolia:
August 10 - 19, 2023 (Classic Canyon Float)
August 4 - 14, 2024 (Classic Canyon Float)

Mongolia River Outfitters:
September 9 - 19, 2023 (Lower River Expedition)
September 23 - October 2, 2024 (Upper River Adventure)

Price:

From $6,950 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. 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.