Mount Khazret Sultan is located in the Gissar mountains on the border of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Here we are talking about a peak with a height of 4083 m.a.s.l. - These are data from topographic maps of the Soviet Union, which are considered the most accurate. Some climbers recorded heights of 4030m, 4065m - perhaps a small difference in heights is due to the error of altimeters, GPS gadgets, as well as a sharp change in atmospheric weather conditions on the summit on different days. On the Internet and even in school textbooks in Uzbekistan, the Khazret Sultan peak (4643m) is called the peak, located 52km to the east and considered the highest point in Uzbekistan - the former peak of the XXII Congress of the CPSU. Unfortunately, this geographic collision exists and introduces some confusion.
Mount Khazret Sultan, 4083m is the most revered shrine in the region. Thousands of pilgrims (men and women) from all over Uzbekistan and neighboring Tajikistan try to come here, pray and ask for solutions to their problems. A complex mystical legend about the special holy status of the mountain refers to religious “showdowns” during the formation of Islam in the 7th century and is associated with the tragic fate of Hussein, the son of Imam and Caliph Ali, who was the cousin and ally of the Prophet Muhammad.
In addition to touching the mystical legend, tourists will enjoy the most beautiful reserved views of the surrounding mountains, alpine meadows and crystal clear rivers. After all, the mountain is located in the Gissar Reserve and in the border zone, and access to this area is allowed for pilgrims and tourists only one month a year (from 20.07 to 20.08) with a special permit.
Climbing to the top begins with a small meadow from the pilgrims' camp. A well-packed and marked trail leads to the top. A distance of 8 km, with a climb of 1100m, tourists overcome in 3-6 hours. The descent takes an average of 2 to 4 hours. Pilgrims usually leave the camp at midnight to be at the top for the first prayer and meet the dawn. The mountain does not allow all pilgrims to reach the summit, half of them are forced to return to the camp without overcoming the difficulties of climbing.
The trail is easy and accessible to almost every healthy person. But the ascent is complicated by a decent height, where mountain sickness can be felt, strong wind at altitudes of 3700m, rain, hail, snow are possible. At the top in a thunderstorm there is a danger of electric shock.
Despite some difficulties and trials, the tourist will be rewarded with incredibly beautiful panoramas of the surrounding mountains.
