Centrally located in the north of Chile, Putre is a tiny, high-altitude village beautifully situated in the Precordillera (a range of smaller mountains which lead to the Andes). Putre’s chief drawcard is its access to Lauca National Park, one of Chile’s premier natural attractions. The centrepiece of this park is Lago Chugara, an enormous lake beneath Volcan Parinacota, which teems with an impressive array of exotic birdlife. The gorgeous landscape of Lauca National Park is dotted with quaint villages and adobe (mudbrick) buildings, such as the photogenic church of Iglesia de Parinacota. Although the village of Putre is short on sights and attractions, it is an excellent place to buy traditional items made from alpaca wool. It is a highly recommended stopover en route to touring the national park, helping visitors to adjust gently to the high-altitude environment.