On the Plateau map, Pankshin is more than just a dot. It’s a place where the earth produces some of Nigeria’s best vegetables, where every stranger is a possible friend, and where the cold mornings sharpen your senses. Prepare to be thrilled with this hidden wonder if you have 48 hours to spare.
Where to Stay:
Are you new to the scene and you long for comfort and a Plateau’s friendly hospitality? Then you need a location that will embrace you warmly.
1. MNS Resort:
Located at the entrance of Pankshin, when coming from Mangu, MNS Resort is a popular destination for visitors. You’ll find spacious rooms, well-kept and clean grounds, and a very friendly atmosphere. Room prices range from ₦10,000 to ₦15,000 per night. It has a standard restaurant, a club, a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, hot and cold showers, and even a bush hut. This is real luxury but without the high cost.
However, if MNS is booked or your budget is tight, you can take into account these other options:
2. Kajon Hotel (GRA, Pankshin): This is a very good option with tidy rooms at a more affordable price . Room prices range from #6000 to #10000.
Woktori:
This is simple but very respectable; it’s perfect for people who prefer comfort over extravagance. Price ranges are from #6000 to #12,000 per night
Vel Sunset:
This is an ideal location too. It also offers very high-quality accommodations without going over budget. This option, also ranges from ₦6,000 to ₦10,000 per night.
Initial Thoughts & Weather
Pankshin gives you a cold but refreshing welcome. Particularly early in the morning and after the sun sets, the temperature of the town often fluctuates between cold and chilly. Ensure you keep a sweater close because, light misty rain showers or heavy fog could surprise you at any time.
This cold weather is really a part of life here. The cold affects the people’s fashion, food, conversations, gatherings, and even farming.
Let’s quickly take a look at the best possible way one can spend 48 hours in Pankshin.
Day 1: Getting to know the culture, the food, and the more
Morning (8 a.m -11:45 a.m)
Arrive in Pankshin town early in the morning and lodge at MNS Resort or any hotel of your choice and drop your luggage. If it’s your first time, ensure the sun has fully risen before you walk out of your hotel room. Climb an Okada or enter a Keke Napep to the Pankshin Monday Market, but ensure you are fully covered. Pankshin Monday Market is mostly dominated by veggies; the tomatoes are so bright, fresh and big, pepper, green beans, cabbage, and carrots that are harvested fresh from farms in and outside of town. Farmers sell directly to the retailers or any customer who wants to buy in large Quantities. If you want to buy tomato or pepper to take back home, ensure you buy the one that is 80% ripe so it doesn’t overripe before you travel back to your location.
Explore the other areas in the market, especially the parts that sell cultural crafts like horns, beads, clothe material, baskets, motar and pistle, bows and arrows, catapults and lots more. You can ask the loc traders for any information you may need about the cultural crafts.
Before you leave the market, you should make sure you buy a bottle of Olive Oil. This special natural oil doesn’t only make food taste better but it also has a lot of health benefits and can be preserved for a very long time. Buy the size you can afford.
When you’re ready for breakfast, you can eat in the restaurant of your hotel or locate a restaurant that sells masa, or you can just take bread and tea (especially if the weather is cold).
Mid Day (12:15 p.m – 2:15. p.m)
In the daytime, you can climb an Okada to visit the Pankshin Dam. The Dam is one of the largest in Plateau State and it is really a beauty to behold.
When you finish enjoying the comfort and beauty of the water body, you should return back to town. Before eating lunch, you can buy local salad which can be made with moringa leaves or other vegetables, it tastes nice and purely natural. In Pankshin, vegetables aren’t just there to complement our cooking; they take center stage and can be eaten as a meal.
When you are ready for lunch, you can order any meal of your choice.
Mid Afternoon – Evening: (2:30 pm. – 5:30 pm.)
One of the reasons why Pankshin is populated is due to the fact that it has two big Tertiary institutions that welcome people from different parts of country. You can start by visiting the Federal University of Education, Pankshin (FUEP). It used to be the Federal College of Education and since it was upgraded to University, it now attracts people from all over Nigeria.
When you explore, you’ll discover the beauty of the school in terms of structure and the students. The school has a beautiful Art Galary where you see different beautiful sculptures. The school has a great sport where you can find football fields, Basketball court, badminton, etc.
Night: (6 PM. – 10 PM.)
After your dinner, ensure you are heavily dressed so you can go get some fruits, processed fish, or meat. These are very common and seem on the roadside especially at nights. Others prefer to eat their meat with Olive Oil and enough pepper due to the cold weather.
Go to bed early enough so you can wake up early the next day for further exploration.
Day 2: Hikes, Games and more
Morning (8 a.m -11:45 a.m)
Wake up at MNS or whichever hotel you lodge in. Take a light breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant and dress sporty because it’s time for a hike. Explore the Mountains in GRA axis popularly known as ‘Bush ta lite’. Find someone you trust to lead you. Many roads can lead you there but I will advice you pass through the College of Health so you can quickly glance through the school.
When you arrive the beautiful mountains at GRA, You’ll notice a big building at the top of the mountain. Climb the mountain till you reach the top where you see the building. You’ll discover that the building is a Hilltop Hotel.
Hiltop Hotel; an old but beautiful resort that was built on top of one of the mountains. Hiltop used to be one of the most beautiful hotels in the state before it became old and forgotten. The green slope and fresh air fills your lungs and the singing of birds is very audible, perhaps if it’s your lucky day, you’ll see monkeys jumping in the trees. The buildings are ancient but beautiful and strong with special features like a manger, gardens, sports facilities, mountains, Valleys, and lots more.
Midday (12:15 p.m – 2:00. p.m)
Follow the tared road from Hiltop down to town. Eat your lunch back in town before returning to your hotel room to freshen up. You can buy some awara and cold zobo at the junction there. Eat before you order for any food you’ll love for lunch.
Mid Afternoon – Evening: (2:00 pm. – 3:30 pm.)
Recharge: Swim (if the pool is open), after the stress from the hike, swimming would go a long way to recharge you. The sun would reduce the intensity of the cold.
Evening – Night (4 pm – 8 PM)
On your last night, if you can, watch or play a game of football, basketball, skating, etc, you can go to FCE Pankshin. You’ll be entertained by different groups of students either freestyling, skating, dancing, etc. Ensure you have a great time because it’s your last day in town.
When you return to your Hotel room and freshen up, eat from the restaurant and be fully kitted for one last late night adventure. Pankshin town stays awake till around 12 midnight when there’s cold. While in town you can get some roasted corn and coconut or any meat of your choice. Return to your hotel room when you’re done so you can rest and recharge for your journey tomorrow.
Day 3 (6 a.m – 8 a.m)
Take your shower and get ready for your journey back to your destination. One thing I’m sure of is that even though you are leaving, the warmth of this cold town will forever remain with you