After crossing the Uzbek border, on the Tajik side there is a huge number of cars waiting: SUVs, four-wheel drives. We just chose whichever car and driver we liked best. Everyone immediately quoted $100. We probably could have bargained, but we didn’t have time.
In the end, it turned out to be a great trip, pleasant driver, he took us everywhere, stopped whenever needed, even suggested some additional museums and the market.
Apparently that’s the standard package everyone offers there.
Total cost: $100 for the Lakes + Yandex taxi to Samarkand 140,000 soum + taxi back to Samarkand 150,000 soum.
There are plenty of cars standing there for the return trip to Samarkand.
So the total came to less than $125.
I recommend the independent option to everyone, and there’s no need to book anything in advance or pay deposits.