How much would a taxi ride from Dushanbe cost approximately? Is it feasible to take a shared taxi heading toward Khujand, get off at the road leading to the lake (or the village of Sarvoda), and then find a car on-site? I read in a trip report that there’s supposedly a taxi gathering spot there. Also, what’s the best way to get from Iskanderkul to the north, like Istaravshan or Khujand?
I once took a shared taxi to the main road, and the driver kindly helped me flag down a car to the lake.
On the way back from the lake, I managed to hitch a ride with some fellow tourists I met at the resort. They dropped me off at the Dushanbe-Khujand highway and helped me find another ride.
From what I saw, there are no official taxi gathering points near Iskanderkul or at the road junction.
We visited last summer, and there were no taxis waiting at the turn-off to the lake. It was eerily empty—didn’t see a soul.
Made the trip this summer. Took a shared taxi from Marom in Dushanbe to Sarvoda. There’s a taxi stand in Sarvoda where most drivers offer rides to Ayni. I found three drivers willing to take me to the lake for 400 somoni, and one agreed to 350 after a little bargaining. So yes, this option works.
Personally, I decided to try hitchhiking for nostalgia’s sake. I caught a ride to the turn-off, then hitched with a KAMAZ truck carrying hay to Chordam. From there, a group of tourists kindly gave me a lift straight to Iskanderkul. Got incredibly lucky—didn’t wait more than five minutes anywhere.
The way back wasn’t as smooth—there’s significantly less traffic leaving the lake. Eventually, I caught a ride for 100 somoni to Istaravshan. However, we only made it as far as the checkpoint in Ayni because the driver got a cancellation call from clients in Khujand(!). Fortunately, a Dushanbe-Khujand bus passed by, and they let me hop on for 50 somoni to my destination.
For those planning to visit Iskanderkul on a budget over the weekend, here’s a great tip: Check out the Facebook group "Походы в горы, Таджикистан. Hiking Tajikistan". During the warmer months, they organize trips (usually on Saturdays or Sundays, sometimes overnight) to various scenic spots in Tajikistan, including the lake. The participation fee is 100 somoni, covering transportation and access to the Zumrad (Emerald) resort.
Another option is the "Go Travel Tajikistan" group, but their tours are more commercial, priced at around 180 somoni per person.
About Accommodation. Iskanderkul has several resorts, guesthouses, and private homes available for rent. At the "Zumrad" base, a room costs 60 somoni (June 2022). If you walk closer to the lake, you can negotiate directly with owners for 50 somoni per night for similar cabins. Each cabin has four rooms separated by a corridor. The amenities are basic: 2–3 beds, a wardrobe, a table, and some stools. The rooms are damp, unheated, and have an outdoor toilet.
One of the central cabins houses the caretaker and his family. Nearby, there’s another resort that seems more modern and pricier. Most visitors stay only for the day, renting rooms or setting up tents before leaving in the evening.
The grounds are well-maintained and spacious. There are two cafes, and large traditional seating platforms (topchans) are set up along the lakefront. The water in the lake is icy, fed by mountain streams.
Hi, everyone!
Do you think it’s realistic to book a taxi from Khujand to Dushanbe with a detour to Iskanderkul? Has anyone tried this?
We’re traveling from Khujand to Dushanbe and were planning to take a shared taxi. But if a driver is willing to swing by Iskanderkul, we’re ready to rent the whole taxi (paying for all four seats) and offer extra for the detour. It would be cheaper and easier than making a separate trip to the lake and back.
Totally doable. We did the reverse—Dushanbe to Khujand—and didn’t even pay extra. The whole taxi cost us 900 somoni, but you could probably negotiate for less.
Smb asked whether it is possible to swim in Iskanderkul Lake. Well, the answer is yes and no. If you really want to, yes, you can swim in Iskanderkul. The main beach near the golden statue has signs everywhere saying “Swimming Prohibited.” However, if you head to the right, walk through the café, and cross the little bridge over the stream, there’s a gate leading to a wilder section of the shore. Locals there told us it’s fine to swim. The shore is nice with small pebbles for an easy entry.
But fair warning: the water is freezing! I’d say it’s around +7–9°C (mid-September). So don’t expect to swim; it’s more of a quick dip to say you’ve done it. 😊
Another thing: at the entrance to Iskanderkul, there’s a barrier where a man charges something like a resort fee—28 somoni per foreigner. I’m not sure how legitimate it is since he showed me some printed price list, but I didn’t argue and just paid.
If you don’t want to pay, you could probably leave your car before the barrier and walk past on foot.
According to our driver, it used to be free for cars too.
We visited Iskanderkul on September 29, 2024, with my wife.
At first, we thought about asking the driver who took us from Samarkand to Dushanbe to include the lake as a stop. Looking back, I’m glad we didn’t.
In total, it adds up to more than 3.5 hours.
Instead, we joined one of the weekend trips organized from Dushanbe. They use comfy Mercedes Sprinter minibuses and charge 180 somoni per person, including a guide. You can find their Telegram groups: @amirtour_tajikistan and @amirtourtj. There’s also a photo-sharing group called @hiking_tjk.
Here’s how it went:
On the way there, we stopped twice at mountain viewpoints for photos. The views were stunning!
Overall, we had an amazing time—beautiful scenery, a well-organized trip, and plenty of great photos to take home. Highly recommend!