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Iskanderkul Lake
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Iskanderkul Lake

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See all things to do
Iskanderkul Lake
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles56 reviews
Excellent
46
Very good
9
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Rubin G
6 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Iskanderkul and nearby
Sep 2023 • Friends
It's a nice lake but the surrounding mountains is spectacular. There's not much good hotels that reflects value for money. Once you are dropped off there is no other taxi anywhere. The hotels can arrange a taxi but it cost like you're buying the car. You cannot walk around the lake because there's no complete trail around but there's a part way trek from Sarytag side. There used to be a trail to Chulboi mountain but many areas at south of the lake is closed because of a gold mine there. The mountains and trails at Sarytag is a better deal besides you'll pass the lake on the way to Sarytag
Written September 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Šárka A
3 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Trekking in Fann mountains
Jul 2017 • Friends
If you visit the other lakes in Fann mountains, just pass thru or don't go there! The mountain lakes are MUCH more beautiful. The payed campsite is average at best and the "restaurant and hotel" just at the entrance to the lake is terrible! The food was cheap but portions were miniscul. The service was the worst part - you are served by a very rude kid who won't give you requested tea, salad and bread, saying you don't nead bread with your shaslik. On the other hand service in Sarytag village was great as was the food!
Written July 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MegaSte
Giussano, Italy107 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The legend of Alexander the Great continues
Jul 2012 • Friends
When you first look at the pictures of the lake on the internet you immediately think they have been edited with photoshop. But once you're there you won't believe your eyes! The lake is the biggest one of the Zeravshan Valley with incredible milky blue waters, a little bit too cold though. In the area close to the lake there is also a 38mt-high waterfall called Fann Niagara, a small dark water lake called Snake Lake and a water spring called Panjchasma (five springs) with healing properties. Not far from the lake, at 7km away, in the Saratog Village we stayed at one of the ZTDA home-stay. A perfect place to start other hikes around the lake or to the top of the Alexander's hat or into the Arg Valley. Iskanderkul is a perfect destination for a week end trip, at only 3hs drive from Dushanbe.
Written October 12, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tour_istans
Dushanbe, Tajikistan22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Iskandarkul lake( Alexander the Great Lake)
Aug 2019 • Friends
A place where everyone should visit before leaving this mortal world as Alexander the Great did. As well as it was the most beautiful lake in Soviet Union. You will not regret to visit it believe me.
“ the more you travel, the more you get younger”
Written August 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcelTraveller
Voorschoten, The Netherlands1,764 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
A good place to stay on the shore of the lake with a private bathroom
Oct 2016 • Couples
On one of the first days of October 2016 we stayed a night at Iskanderkul in the Turbaza cottage park. We stayed in room 7. This holiday park with cottages is located on the northern shore of Lake Iskanderkul, about 300 meters from the place where the road reaches the shore of this lake. On the grounds of this park is also a large building with a restaurant and a large meeting room. The park has old wooden cottages and rooms in new buildings. It is better to avoid the wooden cottages, because they are old and soviet-style. The new rooms are better and have a separate bathroom (with only cold water). If you prefer a bathroom for private use, we would recommend these rooms when you stay a night near Lake Iskanderkul. Uphill, in the village of Sarytag – we have visited the village to choose a room - we have only seen B&B’s with shared facilities. The buildings, even the new rooms, don’t have an heating system and the cottage park closes around the 15th of October. Summarized, in our opinion one of the best options to stay overnight near this beautiful lake.
Written March 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary T
Buenos Aires, Argentina2,935 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Bumpy drive through the mountains to this turquoise gem
May 2019 • Couples
We hiked down to the waterfall, but did not camp or trek, and don’t think we would because the campground is not so nice. But the 45-minute drive gives you a much better look at the rugged Zarafshan Mountains than you can get from the main road. You also can observe village life along the way. Go soon, though, because Chinese interests have acquired mining rights and have begun to develop the area.
Written May 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adib K
Dubai, United Arab Emirates85 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
one of the most beautifull places
Sep 2018
Iskanderkul Lake is one of the signature sights of Tajikistan. It is impossible to imagine a trip to Tajikistan without paying a visit to Iskanderkul Lake. From scientific point of view, Iskanderkul Lake is crater lake formed after a rock fall. It is located on the height of 2195 meters above the sea level, and reaches 72 meters in depth with a territory of 3,4 square km. It is possible to swim there, and many tourists rest on pebbled beaches in summer time, but 10 meters away from the shores, temperature of water falls rapidly approximately down to 10 degrees Celsius.
Written October 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OneAddictedTraveler
Lake Elmo, MN4,123 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Beautiful glacial lake
Sep 2018 • Couples
This glacial lake is high in the mountains. It is named after Alexander the Great who is said to have visited. The lake is colored by glacial flour to a wonderful turquoise color. The road in is quite rough. The view as you drop down to the lake is great.
Written September 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James H
St. Andrews, UK1,610 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great drive on a motorbike
Aug 2018 • Solo
Arguably one of the most attractive places in Tajikistan and that is saying something !

The lake itself is wonderful but the drive there is other worldly with colour everywhere. The view from the top of the pass down to the lake is about as good as it gets.

Highly recommended !
Written August 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen S L
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates123 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
One of the most beautiful places in the world.
Apr 2015 • Couples
We hired a car ($200 for the day) to get from Dushanbe to Iskanderkul and back (3.5-4hrs each way). Not only was the drive incredibly beautiful driving through the high mountains and through small villages, but once we got to the lake we were blown away! It is so still and creates and amazing reflection of the surrounding mountains. Absolutely one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Written April 14, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Iskanderkul Lake - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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