Vilcabamba is a village in the southern region of Ecuador, in the Loja province, about 45 km (28 mi) from the city of Loja. The etymology of the �Vilcabamba� apparently derives from the Quichua �huilco pamba.� Huilco denotes the sacred trees,Anadenanthera colubrina, that inhabit the region and pamba is a word meaning �a plain.� (cognate with pampa) The area has been referred to as the "Playground of the Inca" which refers to its historic use as a retreat for Incan royalty. The valley is overlooked by a mountain called Mandango, the Sleeping Inca, whose presence is said to protect the area from earthquakes and other natural disasters
