Day 53–54: From Baikonur and Tashkent to Osh
From the Kazakh Steppe to the Buzz of Tashkent
Baikonur and the Endless Road
Following the stark landscape of the Aral Sea, the route continued across the Kazakh steppe. It’s a vast, open terrain — seemingly endless, yet filled with surprises. One such moment came near Baikonur, the historic Russian spaceport. Towering satellite dishes stood on the horizon, quietly tracking signals from beyond Earth. A quick stop allowed the team to take in this surreal intersection of silence, science, and sky.
As the sun climbed, roadside watermelons offered a sweet pause, served from stalls under makeshift shade. From there, the team continued through Shymkent toward the Uzbek border, driving alongside heavily loaded cars stacked with luggage and supplies — some reaching nearly double the height of the vehicle itself.
Crossing into Uzbekistan
The border crossing between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was vibrant and full of energy. Pedestrians, families, and traders moved between countries in a constant stream. Among the bustle, a standout moment: an ID.4 driver spotted the team and waved them down for a photo — a shared nod between EV drivers in one of the world’s most remote regions.
Arrival in Tashkent
Tashkent was a surprise in scale and style. Wide avenues, modern architecture, and traces of the city’s Soviet heritage gave the capital a bold and clean aesthetic. In the business district, the ID. Buzz was photographed against a skyline of mirrored glass and stone — a modern contrast to the desert roads that led there.
Before leaving the city, the team stopped to pick up fresh Uzbek bread, sold in round loaves still warm from the oven. It was a simple but perfect way to end a long day.
Crossing into Kyrgyzstan
As night set in, the journey continued toward Osh. By the following afternoon, the team had crossed into Kyrgyzstan, arriving in one of the oldest cities in Central Asia — and setting the stage for the next high-altitude leg of the tour.
Next stop: Gulcha.
