Inti Raymi (Otavalo and Cotacachi)

Ecuador's Andean communities in Imbabura province celebrate the Festival of the Sun with ritual bathing at sacred waterfalls and lakes, communal dancing, and offerings to Pachamama. In Otavalo the celebration begins with a midnight cleansing ritual at Peguche Waterfall followed by a parade to the Plaza de los Ponchos, while Cotacachi centers on a ritual bath at Cuicocha crater lake. (Date shown is estimated from the event's typical annual timing — confirm with the organizer closer to the date.)