WILD EARTH JOURNEYS
KING TAIMEN ADVENTURE
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Trip Duration: 14 days
Trip Dates:
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Sep 25th- Oct 3rd, 2025
Group Size: 4 PAX
Trip Cost: $4,650 USD PAX
Private trip supplement: $USD 800 per person
TRIP OVERVIEW :
Floating the Onon River in Mongolia is a magical experience that every angler would wish to experience. Only a few people get to do it every year. Join us on an incredible fishing adventure to the upper section of the Onon River in the majestic Khentii Mountains. Fish with some of the most experienced local fishing guides to make the most of this unique expedition. The Onon River is home to the most predatory and monster fish -Taimen but also has plenty of lenoks, amur, pike, and trout to reel in. There are over 36 species of fish in the Onon, making it the river with the most diverse fish species in Mongolia. Alongside the incredible fishing, some of Mongolia’s greatest landscapes are experienced in its mountains and valleys which are filled with larch and pine trees. Away from crowded fishing zones and busy highways, this place will provide the most memorable fly fishing adventure that you won’t forget for years, with the perfect mixture of tranquility floating down beautiful scenery to adrenaline-filled smiles while reeling in river monsters.
Our trip allows travelers to visit places that few others ever get to see, and catch fish that have possibly never been caught.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
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Catch the king taimen and feel the genuine thrill behind the fly reel. When a monster taimen comes at your fly, it may turn into the intense fight that will seem like heart-stopping action. This is what every fly angler dreams to see and catch.
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Float Onon river, the headwater of Amur River basin which is one of the oldest rivers on earth. Immerse into the beautiful nature with the characteristics of southern Siberian region.
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Explore the historical sites that are connected to Genghis khan’s early life and 13th century Mongolians. Visit places like where Genghis khan was born and crowned as the king of great Mongolian Empire. This is the exact area where Mongols started to gain power and went to conquer the world over.
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Meet the Buryat people, ethnic people who were named as the “mountain citizens” during Genghis khan era. Although they suffered horrific political purges during 1930’s, they were able to preserve their remarkable culture and tradition up until today.
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Discover and watch white-naped cranes, one of the rarest birds on the planet earth. This area is home to these elusive birds for summer breeding. It is estimated that only 6000 individuals left in the world. Over 1 thousand of population gather and breed in this small piece of area. This place is regarded as one of the major birding area that possess multiple rare species including great bustards (the largest fly bird in the world) and 5 other different species of cranes as well as white tailed eagles and other raptors.
King Taimen – Fly Fishing adventure 2025
Guests arrive to Ulaanbaatar preferably the day before Orienation. Upon arrival at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport our staff will meet you for the transfer to the hotel, (Bayangol Hotel) located within walking distance of Sukhbaatar Square, museums and shops. Our staff will be holding a sign board when you cross the main gate of the airport.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Orientation, Bayangol hotel, dinner in UB
After the breakfast, around 9 am, everyone gathers at the lobby to meet each other. Guide will make a brief orientation and lead the way to Gandan monastery for religious experience and National history Museum. After we’re finished with Museum, we will have a lunch at Rosewood restaurant. Post lunch, you’re at your own disposal. We will meet at hotel lobby for welcome dinner.
Best Western Tuushin Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 2: Drive to Bathshireet village, Onon river
Today, we’ll journey east through vast grasslands to Northeastern Mongolia, arriving late afternoon at the Batshireet. On the way out there, we’ll explore significant 2 historical sites named Tsonjin boldog (Chingghis khan complex) and Ugluch Wall (Ancient wall). On your drive, you will be able to enjoy your first glimpse of the empty and vast scenery of the Mongolian steppe. Depending on your arrival time on the river, the remainder of the day and evening will be at your disposal. You may grab your rod to check the water near the camp or simply explore the area hiking around and enjoying dinner.
Drive: 260 miles (450 Km), approx 5-6 hours driving plus 1-2 hours for lunch spot and excursion at the stone wall .
Overnight in tent camp (B,L,D)
Day 3 – 8: Fishing and rafting
On the day 3, our fishing adventure begins. Next 6 days, we’ll be on the river in search of river monster and many other species to catch. We fish new stretch of water everyday covering enter length of over 100 km waterway. There are couple of tributaries coming into the main river to join and this is where we stop for a wade and spot-fishing. Every day, as we finish the day, we run into the new camping spot where our staff will meet with a new set-up camp with food and supplies. The river meander through many different types of terrain including lush covered mountains and wide-open spaces.
Float: 70 miles (over 100 km) in total. Approximately 7-8 hours of fishing each day, plus 1-2 hours for lunch on the riverside. Overnight in tent camp (B, L, D).
Note: please bring only few important clothes and items you need on the boat, all other luggage will be sent via our truck and you will have them at the camp each night.
Day 9: Journey to Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, journey back to Ulaanbaatar. Farewell dinner at BBQ restaurant,
Transfer to the Hotel.
INCLUSIONS:
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Pre-trip expenses, extra night in hotels before or after the trip, medical immunizations, emergency evacuations, visa fees, travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc).
Double or twin occupancy at Bayangol Hotel. Welcome and farewell dinners and lunch, all entrance fees to museums based on itinerary, English speaking guide, lodging, meals, National Park fees, Taimen fishing permit, Airport transfers, everything related to transport, local crew.
All payments can be made by international bank transfers. When you are ready to pay the deposit and secure your spot, send us email and we will provide you the bank details.
Correspondant e-mails:
DEPOSIT
30% of the total payment is the amount you pay to secure your spot as a deposit. After receiving your deposit, we will notify you with pack list, departure information, etc.
Once we receive your deposit, all our services included in the itinerary is to be proceeded.
FINAL PAYMENT
Final payment is payable, 3 weeks prior to arrival
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUND POLICY
Wild Earth Journeys requires all cancellations need to be done via email in written form. If you cancel the trip:
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30 - 60 days prior to departure date – 50% of the deposit is refundable.
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0-30 days – deposit is nonrefundable.
Come to Mongolia's Siberia
Khan Khentii mountain Region
Davaa, Uvur and Unguljiin rivers start from Khan Khentii Mountain, a peak of Khentii Mountain range, and running along on two sides of Botokhon and Boorji that lie next to Mountains Burkhan Khaldun create a river called “Onon”. The river runs for 808 km along beautiful high mountains that support forests including boreal coniferous forests and through vast meadows and steppe in Khentii and Dornod aimags of Mongolia and then goes to a territory of Chita province of Russian Federation. While running through the territory of Russian Federation, Onon River creates Shilk River by joining Ingedei River started from Sohond Mountain, a peak mountain continued from Khentii Mountain range to the north east. Joining Ergune River, the Shilk River creates scenic Amur River that marks off borders of Russia and China and inflows into Pacific Ocean having run through vast taiga/boreal coniferous forests. Thus, starting from a tributary of Ungulj and Davaa rivers and inflowing into the ocean, this big river runs for 4,444 km. The river width is five km in average by running in narrow streams in its some parts. It is internationally recognized that Onon River is a head river of Amur River, one of five world biggest rivers that freely runs without any natural embankments and barriers. There are over 400 rivers and streams inflowing in Onon, Ulz, Kherlen, and Khalkh rivers in Mongolia that belong to Amur River basin. Amur River basin is one of 35 eco-regions that require inevitable conservation as announced by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Therefore, the protection of Amur river, which is specific with its scenery, natural resources, rarely found ecosystem features and regarded as one of the biggest not only in Asia but also in the world, should start from the protection of Onon river basin.
Yogi was raised along the banks of the Onon River. His dad took him on fishing and hunting trips since he was a young boy teaching him how to survive in the wild, respect Mother Earth and live in harmony with nature. He was recruited as a local guide by outfitters and learned about fly fishing and never stopped. He’s been guiding and fly-fishing for more than 20 years in his homeland waters. He’s known as “Yogi bear” by his fellow fishermen. He’s also an accomplished photographer of birds and tracks wild animals in the offseason.
YOUR GUIDES
GALEN KELLY
Galen was raised in the foothills of the Himalayas and the Mongol steppe. He learned how to ride horses and fish as a toddler in Mongolia. He has spent 20 summers on Mongol rivers and is ready to experience the vast rivers and valleys alongside you. He’s worked multiple summers on the cold Alaskan ocean catching fish and has also guided fly fishing and Horse Riding in central Mongolia for a decade with National Geographic.
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Thomas L. Kelly
Thomas began his world travels as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal, in 1978, and has since worked as a photo-activist-documenting the struggles of marginalized people and disappearing cultural traditions around the world. His work has appeared in Time, National Geographic, The New York Times, and many more publications. Thomas has worked in Mongolia for nearly 25 years and is excited to share his deep knowledge of Mongolian life. He's Fly-fished for over 50 years.