[7] The lake is 12 km long and 9 km wide,[2] and has a catchment area of 606.5 square kilometres (234 sq mi).

[7] Lake Parinacochas is a shallow brackish lake, with some salt pan areas appearing at low water levels.

[8] Inkawasi, a ruined village of Inca origin, lies on the north-western shore of Lake Parinacochas.

[9] The lake is located in a dry puna grassland region.

Aquatic vegetation is represented by reeds of Typha sp.