On October 5, ten days after they left Manaus, Brugger reported they had abandoned their boat at Cachoeira Inglesa and began their final journey to Akakor by canoe.

As they neared their destination, Brugger and the photographer became uneasy. Tatunca Nara began painting red stripes on his face and yellow stripes on his chest and legs, as if he was preparing to return to his people.

The snow-capped mountains of the Andes mountains towered before them. At this point they must have traveled far up the Rio Yaku and into Peru.

On October 13, they lost their canoe over dangerous rapids. Most of their food and medical supplies were lost, and their camera equipment was destroyed. This was the excuse Brugger and the photographer needed to abandon the expedition and return to Manaus. They were only 10 days away from Akakor.

But Tatunca Nara did not follow.

With a bow, a small quiver of arrows, and a hunting knife, Natunca Nara disappeared into the forbidden jungle.

Images from corbis.com