Visiting Lake Toba means immersing yourself in the daily lives of its people. Visitors who join the Medan Lake Toba Tour Package can observe the locals’ activities, ranging from farming in the fields around the village and weaving to socializing in front of their traditional homes. The warmth of the local people adds a special touch that makes the visit feel more personal and meaningful.

Dokan Village is one of the most authentic and well-preserved traditional Karo villages in North Sumatra. Located in Merek Subdistrict, Karo Regency, this village offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness firsthand the ancient architecture and way of life of the Karo people, who still strictly adhere to their ancestral customs.

Due to its authenticity and significant historical value, Dokan Village has been designated as a Tourism Village and is a must-visit destination for those interested in culture, history, and vernacular architecture.

The main attraction of Dokan Village is the presence of traditional Karo houses (known as Rumah Siwaluh Jabu), which are estimated to be hundreds of years old. What makes these traditional houses unique is:

They Are Still Authentic and Inhabited: Unlike other traditional villages where some houses have been turned into museums, many houses in Dokan are still actively inhabited by several families (jabu) at the same time. This makes Dokan a “living museum.”

Unique Nail-Free Architecture: These houses are built using an extraordinary construction technique, employing wooden pegs and rattan rope bindings, without a single metal nail.

Majestic Rattan Roofs: The roofs are made of thick rattan that soars high, serving to block the highland’s cold air and absorb the sun’s heat.
Distinctive Karo Carvings (Gerga): The walls and various parts of the house are adorned with geometric carvings in red, white, and black, which hold philosophical and symbolic meanings for the Karo people.

Located in the Karo highlands, the village of Dokan is surrounded by views of green hills and fertile farmland. The air here is very cool and fresh, creating a calm and peaceful atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. The village scenery, with its backdrop of majestic traditional houses, creates a highly photogenic panorama.

Although not always on display daily, this village holds a wealth of Karo art and culture. If lucky, visitors may witness traditional music rehearsals or preparations for traditional ceremonies. Interacting with traditional elders or local residents can provide deep insights into the Karo people’s philosophy of life and traditions.

For tourists organized by travel agents as part of the Lake Toba Tour Package, it is usually only European tourists who visit Berastagi Highland, most of them like Mount Sibayak Sunrise Hike to enjoy the beauty of volcano. But Local tourists are rarely interested in visiting Sibayak and Dokan Tourism Village.