FM Combination Trips

A Combination Trip with Fish Mongolia is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural and fishing adventure to a place where wild rivers flow through a landscape reminiscent of the American West hundreds of years ago. The primary target here is the Taimen, the world’s largest salmonid, aptly nicknamed the ‘river wolf’ for its predatory nature. In addition to the mighty Taimen, the rivers here also hold Trout and Grayling species unique to Mongolia. The species diversity and the potential for trophy Taimen make this trip something truly special for intermediate to advanced anglers.

Fish Mongolia (FM) is the premier provider of multi-day fly fishing trips in Northern Mongolia. On an FM Combination Trip, you’ll embark on a 2-week river trip by combining multiple river sections. Each day you’ll cover miles of untouched water on foot or in inflatable drift boats and/or rafts with your expert guide. The river camps feature Gers (Yurts) and Nordic Tipis, replete with comfortable cots. The cuisine is a unique blend of traditional Mongolian fare and nourishing Western dishes. The guides and staff at FM are consummate professionals, equally adept at rowing, finding fish, cooking, entertaining, and camp duties. You’d be hard-pressed to find a team of more professional and friendly people anywhere in the world. This is the ultimate Taimen fishing experience, completely unplugged from the outside world for several weeks in the Mongolian wilderness.

Please note: Participants must be in very good physical condition to participate in this expedition.

Who It’s For

•  Venturesome anglers in excellent physical condition
•  Fishing-oriented couples/groups
•  Intermediate to advanced anglers
  
  

When To Go

The legal fishing season in Mongolia runs from June 15th through the end of October. FM Combination Trips are available from mid-June through August. This early-season window offers the best conditions in the high country of Northwestern Mongolia. Since these rivers are wild and undammed, water levels may fluctuate due to storms throughout the year. Fortunately, the fishing can remain good in off-color water, as Taimen are ferocious predators that continue to feed in turbid water conditions. When the water is very clear, sight fishing becomes possible, and is an exciting visual experience akin to Tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys. This is a very technical and fun challenge if you are lucky enough to have the proper conditions. Overall, the entire season can fish productively, and when you should go depends on your goals, and when you can make it.

Taimen

Known as the ‘river wolf’, Taimen are the largest Salmonid species on the planet. An average-sized Taimen in this region is around 30 inches, and much larger fish exceeding 40 inches are caught throughout the season. These oversized relatives of trout share the appetite and behavior of species like Musky and large Brown Trout. Their primary prey includes Lenok, Grayling, and even rodents; so they are very responsive to larger patterns. Mouse patterns, gurglers, terrestrials, and streamers are all utilized to fool these clever, old fish. 

Lenok
Although Taimen is the primary draw, Mongolia also offers some incredible trout fishing. The Lenok is a Siberian Trout, closely resembling a brown trout but with colorful red markings. The Lenok behaves much like a Cutthroat Trout in the American West - surface-oriented and cooperative. Most Lenok fishing is done with streamers, terrestrials, or mice along the banks, producing explosive takes. Lenok will also feed on smaller dries and nymphs, particularly during a hatch. Fly fishing for Lenok is a fantastic way to break up a day of Taimen fishing, and it offers a glimpse into what the “good old days” of trout fishing must have been like in more developed parts of the world.

Grayling

Much like the Grayling found in North America and Europe, the Grayling of Mongolia are beautiful surface-oriented salmonids that make for great fun on light rods. It is common to see dozens of Grayling sipping bugs as you walk/wade sections of the river, making for highly productive dry fly sessions. Healthy Grayling populations are a major reason why the Taimen here get so big, as they are an abundant prey species!

Equipment

Successful fishing in Mongolia requires a few rods with matching reels. We recommend bringing 3-4 rods: a 9’ 5wt for Lenok and Grayling, and two 9’ 9wts for Taimen - one with a floating line and the other with a sink-tip line. You may also bring a switch or spey rod for the walk/wade portion of your trip, which helps to cover water more effectively. If you prefer a single-hand rod, you should be confident in your double-haul casting before the trip. Your guides will help you rig appropriately for the day’s fishing. We recommend adhering to the packing and equipment lists provided by Trident Fly Fishing.

Day 1: From Home to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

A two-week Combination Trip in Mongolia begins with a flight to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. There are direct flights from Seoul, Istanbul, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Beijing. Most guests fly via Seoul, Istanbul, or Tokyo. After clearing immigration and customs, an FM driver and an English-speaking guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. It’s an approximately 60-minute drive from the airport to your hotel in the city center. Once you’ve arrived at your hotel, you can enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the city. Then it is time to get a good night’s sleep before heading to camp the next day.

Day 2: From Ulaanbaatar to Camp

After an early breakfast, you will check out of the hotel and be escorted to the airport for a short 90-minute flight to the small village of Muron. Upon arrival, an FM representative will meet you and you will begin your overland journey to the river. This is a 5-6 hour drive to the river, a spectacular journey that is part of the adventure. You and the group will travel via comfortable 4x4s (generally Toyota Land Cruisers), with no more than two guests per vehicle. There will be plenty of drinks and snacks, and lots to see along the way. It’s a great opportunity to see rural Mongolia. You’ll arrive at “base camp” in time for a delicious dinner and a restful night’s sleep.

Days 3 - 15: The Fishing Days

On the first morning at “base camp”, you’ll begin your horseback journey to the upstream headwaters of the river. You may choose to travel by horseback or on foot, depending on your comfort level with riding horses. The total distance to the uppermost camp is approximately 12 miles. For the next several days, you will explore a new stretch of river every day with your expert guides, and stay at a tipi camp each evening. Each day you will gradually wade fish your way downstream toward the base camp, covering about 3 miles of new water per day. The FM staff will move the tipi camp each day while you fish with your guide. By midday, a hearty lunch is served streamside. When you arrive at camp each evening, a fabulous dinner is served, and your bags and beds are waiting in your tipi at a completely new camp location. 

On the final two days of the upper-river portion of your river trip, you’ll float fish your way downstream, covering approximately 25 river miles over the two days. These final three nights are spent in traditional Mongolian Ger camps, which are more spacious and include wood stoves inside each Ger.

On your seventh day on the river, you’ll spend the day at “Camp Three”, which marks the final camp for the Expedition trips, and the first camp for the Canyon Adventure. You’ll have all day to relax around camp, re-organize gear, and of course, do plenty of walk-wade fishing in the excellent camp waters.

The next day you’ll begin the next leg of your journey, six more days of floating and fishing through a majestic canyon. The lower river is a more refined float fishing journey, covering vast stretches of river every day and retiring to a new and comfortable ger camp every night. The combination of these two great trips gives you the ultimate Mongolian fishing experience.

Day 16: From Camp to Ulaanbaatar

After a generous breakfast, you will begin a 2-hour overland journey from the river to a commercial airstrip via a comfortable 4x4 vehicle. After a short flight, an FM guide will transfer you to your hotel in UB, typically arriving by the early afternoon. Once you’ve arrived at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar, you can enjoy a hot shower before heading out for dinner. After dinner, get a good night’s sleep and dream of wild Taimen eating your fly!

Day 17: From Ulaanbaatar to Home

On the final morning, your FM guide will meet you at the hotel to transport you to the airport and ensure everything goes smoothly with check-in and departure to your home destination.

Note: All times are approximate and due to the remote nature of these trips, unforeseen circumstances such as weather, flat tires, etc. can force trip adjustments. Traveling through the remote corners of Mongolia is a unique adventure and a big part of these expedition trips: so kick back, enjoy the ride, and savor this amazing opportunity to soak up an exotic landscape and culture!

Accommodations

FM trips include hotel lodging in Ulaanbaatar before and after the river trip. The hotel is very comfortable and features amenities you would expect in most US hotels, including a restaurant, convenience items for purchase, and clean, well-appointed guest rooms. The hotel is located within proximity to great restaurants, shops, and other fascinating sights within Mongolia’s vibrant capital city. 

On the river, the FM camps are rustic but very comfortable, much like an African tented safari. During the Headwaters Expedition portion of your trip, you’ll stay in nordic tipi-style tents. The tipis are over 10’ tall and nearly 18’ wide and accommodate two guests. Each tipi is outfitted with wool carpets, two cots with pads, and extra blankets.

The Canyon Adventure portion of your trip will be spent in traditional Mongolian Ger camps. With their wooden lattice frames, wood-burning stoves, and insulating felt walls, sleeping in a cozy Mongolian ger is a great experience. Each accommodates two guests and is outfitted with a simple table and chairs, wool carpets, two cots with linens, and extra blankets.

Hot shower facilities are located in specially designed Gers or large tents. Toilet facilities are set up in spacious tents privately situated a short walk from the camps. Both facilities are quite comfortable and private.

Each campsite along the river is uniquely peaceful, designed to reflect Mongolian traditions and integrate with the country’s natural surroundings. 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.

Food

The cooks at the FM camps are skilled professionals who take great pride in serving nourishing, delicious meals. The food is fresh, diverse, and very well-suited to Western tastes. Typical meals include stewed meats with rice, soups, and fresh vegetables. Breakfast and dinner are served inside a central wall tent complete with tables, chairs, and a wood stove. Hearty lunches are served streamside. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with plenty of advanced notice. Alcoholic beverages are available each evening and include cold beer, wine, and Mongolian vodka.

Connectivity

WiFi is available at the hotel in Ulaanbaatar. Cell service may be available at the hotel depending on your service provider and plan. Once you depart Ulaanbaatar, there will be no internet or cell coverage for the duration of your river trip. FM carries satellite phones for emergencies.

2025 Fishing Packages

Trident Travel’s expert planning service is free of charge. The rates below are the same as you would pay by booking directly with the lodge. 

Rates and inclusions are subject to change at any time. Contact us for the most current pricing. 

Double Occupancy, Shared Boat (Per Person)

14 Nights on the river / 13 Days on the river = $14,500

What's Included:

•  Airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar
•  Hotel stay in Ulaanbaatar (one night before and after the river)
•  Transportation to/from the river
•  Daily guide service
•  Tipi and Ger camp accommodations on the river
•  All meals on the river
•  Fishing license
•  Beer, wine, and Mongolian vodka at camp
•  Flies

What's Not Included:

•  Airfare to/from Ulaanbaatar (UBN)
•  Visa fees & airport departure tax
•  Meals, drinks, and additional purchases in Ulaanbaatar
•  Gratuities for guides and staff
•  Fishing equipment
•  Sleeping bag rated to at least 0 degrees Fahrenheit

What skill level is required for this trip?

Because the headwaters portion of the trip requires a lot of walk/wade fishing and longer casting, we recommend this trip for intermediate to advanced anglers. Being proficient at spey casting and/or double hauling with a single-handed rod will greatly improve your odds of hooking up with a Taimen. Participants must also be in very good physical condition to participate in this expedition due to the amount of hiking and wade fishing that is required.

How should I prepare for a trip to Mongolia?

Most importantly, you should practice casting with all the rods and lines you plan to bring. Also, purchasing the right gear, tackle, and clothing is important - use our recommended packing lists. Additionally, you should think about your goals for the trip so that you can relay them to your guides. Lastly, figure out your travel logistics well in advance.

What are the bathroom facilities like on the river?

Portable river toilets, called groovers, are carried on all trips and are set up away from camp in a spacious privacy tent. Handwashing stations are always available at camp.

How many fish can I expect to catch?

Like any fishing trip, numerous factors including water flows, weather conditions, and angler skill level can influence your success. Taimen fishing is rather similar to Musky or Steelhead fishing, in that an average day will usually offer a few opportunities for hookups. For Lenok Trout and Grayling, you can have very productive days.

Is FM Family Friendly?

A river trip in Mongolia is best suited for adventurous angling pairs or fishing-oriented groups who want a wilderness expedition. Due to the remoteness of this trip, there isn’t much else to do here except fish and relax at camp. Participants must be in very good physical condition to participate in this expedition due to the amount of hiking and wade fishing required.

How many other anglers will be there?

Each FM Combination trip can accommodate up to 4-6 anglers. The small group size ensures an intimate trip where acquaintances become lifelong friends by the end.

Do I need travel insurance?

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment. We recommend Travel Guard, a well-established insurance company offering excellent, affordable policies for angling travel.

What happens if I’m injured or have an emergency requiring evacuation?

Guests must carry and provide proof of adequate and comprehensive medical (health) insurance and medical evacuation insurance. Many guests choose Global Rescue for their evacuation insurance coverage.

What is the weather like?

The climate in Mongolia is similar to places like Montana in the American West. Summertime highs rarely get above 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and lows in the fall can dip to well below freezing. Anglers should plan to dress in layers to stay protected from sun, wind, and possible rain anytime during the season. In the fall, anglers should pack plenty of warm layers, including fishing gloves and a winter hat.

Is tipping customary?

Yes, tipping is customary although it is at your discretion. Tipping 10% of the trip total per person is customary. Please plan on tipping in cash.