Laguna de Chocón

Good to know

• Swimming lake
• 4 kmfrom Acolla center
• 4.4 / 515 reviews
• Acolla

What Makes It Special

Of all the highland lakes and wetlands that scatter Peru's central Andes, Chocón holds a singular place in the national imagination. It is one of the reliable habitat sites for the parihuana, the Chilean flamingo whose striking white body and deep red wing feathers are said to have inspired Libertador José de San Martín when he designed the Peruvian flag in 1820. Seeing the flamingo stride through shallows at dawn, neck curved and pink legs reflecting in the water, connects you directly to a foundational image of Peruvian identity.↗↗

Beyond the flamingo, the wetland supports what officials describe as the greatest biodiversity of lake birds in the entire Mantaro and Yanamarca valleys. Over a dozen species have been documented: cattle egrets, great white herons, night herons, puna ibis, black-faced ibis, the stately huallata (Andean goose), several species of ducks and coots, the Andean gull, and wading birds like the yellow-legged sandpiper. In the shallows, schools of the endemic hini fish (Orestias agassii) dart between submerged reed beds, and frogs of the Telmatobius genus call in the early hours.↗

The lake sits in the Puna ecoregion, the wide high-altitude grasslands that characterise Peru's central sierra. Its oval surface—roughly five square kilometres—expands during the rainy season from January to March, when it can flood surrounding fields, then contracts noticeably through the dry months of April to November. This seasonal rhythm shapes the bird population: flamingo sightings are most common after the rains fill the shallows and totora shoots push up fresh growth.

Things to Do

Bird watching is the heart of any visit. Local tourism agencies run trips specifically for this purpose, and the wooden mirador (viewpoint) built on the ridge between Marco and Acolla offers an elevated vantage point where you can scan the whole lagoon without trampling sensitive shoreline vegetation. Early morning is the best time—birds are most active, the light is soft for photography, and the mirror-still surface reflects the surrounding hills.↗↗↗

The flat terrain around the lake lends itself to walking and cycling along the shore paths and village lanes. Horseback riding through the surrounding Puna grassland is another option offered in the area. Photographers will find the contrast of golden ichu grass, deep blue highland sky, and white-and-pink birds visually rewarding throughout the day.↗

The community of Chocón has invested in the visitor experience beyond the natural scenery. Local streets now feature painted murals of the birds that frequent the wetland, creating a small open-air gallery that reinforces the conservation message. There are plans to develop the site further as a dedicated bird sanctuary.↗

Getting There and Practical Tips

Laguna de Chocón lies between the districts of Marco and Acolla in Jauja Province, Junín Region. The closest city is Jauja, reachable from Lima by a roughly three-hour drive on the central highway. From Jauja, the town of Marco is just 8.5 km away (about 15 minutes by car). From Marco, the wetland is another 800 metres on foot—a gentle 30-minute walk along a rural path. Entry is free.↗

Basic services—guesthouses, restaurants, kiosks selling food and drinks, public restrooms, and taxis—are available in the district capital Marco. The lake itself has limited infrastructure, so bring water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes for walking on soft ground near the shore.↗

The site can be visited year-round, though mornings offer the best bird activity. The rainy season (January to March) fills the lake and draws more waterfowl, while the dry season makes flamingos and waders easier to spot against receding water levels. Temperatures at this altitude can swing sharply between bright midday sun and cold wind, so layering is wise.↗

Conservation and Respect

Chocón faces real environmental pressure. Community cleanups have removed more than 750 kilograms of solid waste—plastic bags, food containers, and agrochemical bottles—thrown by both visitors and nearby residents. The National Water Authority (ANA) monitors water quality here as part of the broader Mantaro basin management program, and local officials have called for rules that balance human use with habitat protection.↗↗

If you visit, take your waste with you, keep noise low near the shoreline, and stay on established paths. Tourism operators working the site have committed to guiding visitors responsibly, and community members from Chocón are actively seeking formal sanctuary status. The flamingos will keep coming back only if the marsh stays clean.↗