Río Las Piedras

Lying to the northeast of, and running roughly parallel to the Río Manu, this drainage runs some 700 km from remote rainforest headwaters in the Alto Purús region. The lower, more easily accessible section of the river, closer to Puerto Maldonado and currently outside state protection, runs through rich tropical forests, very similar to those in the Manu and Tambopata areas. Close to 600 species of birds, at least eight primate species and some of the Amazon's larger mammals, jaguar, puma, tapir and giant anteater, are all present. Healthy populations of giant otters exist in the rivers and oxbow lakes, and there are several clay licks that attract parrots, macaws and, in some cases, larger mammals as well. Due to its lack of protected status it's also fairly straightforward to tailor your own itinerary in this part of the forest. The only real downside is that hunting pressure has resulted in wildlife being somewhat shyer and more secretive than in Manu or Tambopata. Nevertheless this remains an excellent wildlife destination.