Dokan Batak Village

Dokan Batak Village

Dokan Batak Village
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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.


4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles32 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
17
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
0

palawanismyhome
Palawan Island, Philippines24,333 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
We organised a private car between Berastagi and Lake Toba with a few stops. The village of Dokan was interesting as there were 5 Batak houses. Wandering around we were invited to take a look in one house where several families lived. They were eager to show us their home and of course a small donation was expected. It was well worth the 30 minute stop on the journey.
Written March 14, 2020
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.

Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,506 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2011 • Couples
For budding anthropologists, Sumatra's highlands offer fertile grounds for exploration. They offer age-old tombs and wooden houses from before the colonial period and hints of customs which stretch back millenia. The Batak are one of Sumatra's largest and most interesting ethnic groups. Any group whose cannibalistic antics struck fear into the heart of Marco Polo deserves a modicum of respect.

These days the Karo Batak have fervently embraced Christianity. We toured through this part of Sumatra on a Sunday and heard lovely singing coming out of their churches. But what is most likely to draw Westerners to this misty part of Indonesia is the Karo Batak traditional villages, which are fast falling into mildewy disrepair. For those on the heritage trail, we do not hesitate to recommend Dokan.

Dokan is not as old as the famous Desa Lingga, now listed on the World Monuments Watch of endangered historical sites, but it is in better repair. This may be because Dokan was one of the last villages built in the old style, with towering wooden houses with thatched roofs. Dating from the 1950s, it was perhaps the last gasp of tradition before the Kara Batak started building with concrete. These stilted old beauties are a sorry reminder of what has been lost.
Written August 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.

LouenStephan
Ghent, Belgium1,777 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2017 • Couples
On the way from Laka Toba (eastern side) to Berastagi, one can visit Dokan Village. There are several traditional houses, not as a museum, but a real village where people is still living. A young boy ask you to put your name in the visitor book and to give some money for the village. If you are discrete, one can visit the biggest longhouse. The old women invite you. Of course give a small gift to the family (may be 20.000). Dont go inside with a group.
Here one is in the middle of the way how traditional people live now
Written September 29, 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.

Abg_Acid
Muar, Malaysia315 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
The moment I saw the green algae engulfed weed roof, the adrenalin starts flowing. A great visit. Large Batak of Karo tribe house, and one of them fits 8 families. These are not show-houses, but these people are still living in it. Just like their forefathers did and it is 150yrs old. Amazing culture of Karo. You may even enter the houses, but do pay respect at them, smile and make some gift.
Written November 21, 2013
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.

Putri Kitnas
Depok, Indonesia23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Even though it's pretty far, about 1 hour from Kabanjahe but this place is worth to visit. I had a chance to talk with a Pak Sitepu family in the biggest and well maintained house (jambur) in the village. The families who live there are friendly and explained to me enthusiastically about Karo culture from A to Z and how 8 families could live together well under the same roof. bring money if you like to buy a Karo house prototype and kulcapi ( Karo traditional music instrument) made by Pak Sitepu. Try also their coffee as Dokan is well known these days by its famous Dokan coffee.
Written December 20, 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.

JohnandBettyBangkok
Wirral, UK162 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
Very interesting to see the long houses and the way the residents live there - 6 or ore families sharing the space with firewood stored above and animals below. No tpilet facilities though. The village itself has a lost of trash and litter lying around which was a shame to see - reminded us of Indian villages. Small donation to the longhouse elder for the visit.
Written October 14, 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.

Hegi S
30 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2018 • Friends
This is a good village, we can find 5 traditional houses of Batak Karo which occupied. For you who love culture and villages, I think this is really recommended. But we hope the society can keep clean the village.
Written September 23, 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.

wilfridblair
Ottawa, Canada182 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2018 • Couples
Our guide was superb explaining the family structure and living arrangements of the Batak people. Wonderful place to see living history. Highly recommend this with a knowledgeable guide.
Written March 2, 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.

martineclaire94
Paris, France33 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • Couples
We visit this place on our way to Parapat, it takes about 45 minutes drive from Berastagi. The traditional house is nice but the village is a lot trash and dirty. The local should keep the village clean for more tourist will visit this place.
Written October 16, 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.

Lynnchoy
Klang, Malaysia171 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2015 • Friends
This is an interesting place to learn about the Batak who are the native of Samosir island. Although they were cannibals once, they have become Farmers after embracing the Christian faith. It is interest to know how their lifestyle and dwellings.
Written October 24, 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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Dokan Batak Village - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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