Junin National Reservation, Protected natural area in central Andes, Peru
Junín National Reservation is a protected area in the central Andes of Peru that spans the Bombón plateau and includes Lake Junín, the country's second-largest lake. The site sits at roughly 4100 meters above sea level and covers around 530 square kilometers of wetlands, grasslands, and open water.
The Peruvian government created the reserve on August 7, 1974, to protect the lake and its surroundings from growing pollution and exploitation. Before that, the area served for centuries as grazing and fishing grounds for Andean communities.
The name comes from the Quechua word "khunkhu," meaning place of mist, which describes the often cloudy highland plateau surrounding the lake. Fishermen from nearby communities still use reed boats built with traditional methods passed down through generations.
Access is via the Central Highway from Lima, with the drive taking around five hours and passing through several Andean passes. Visitors should bring warm clothing and sun protection, as altitude and weather can change quickly.
The reserve is home to the Junín grebe, a bird found nowhere else on Earth that lives only in this highland lake. Altogether, the area provides habitat for 149 bird species, including several migratory species that stop here for rest.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
