Tequilero Tour with Horseback Riding

The most unusual part of this Guadalajara day trip is the way tequila making and horseback riding share the same visit. You begin in the agave fields and factory, then move onto a charro canvas for time with the horses before sitting down to a guided four-tequila tasting.

I like the personal feel of a Camarena family member explaining the factory, and I like the chance to see Arandas beyond a bottle label. Guide Edgar is described as friendly and fun, with the relaxed manner of someone showing a friend around. The catch is the drive: allow roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way from Guadalajara.

Key points at a glance

• Agave fields near Arandas: See where the raw plant begins its journey into tequila.
• Camarena family connection: A family member leads the factory visit and shares family stories.
• Horseback riding on the charro grounds: Ride and take photos with the horses inside the facility.
• Four-tequila tasting: A professional explains the proper way to taste each pour.
• Arandas town stop: Eat at Carnitas Jaimes, then see the church and Latin America’s second-largest bell.
• Private eight-hour outing: Your own group participates, with round-trip transport from Guadalajara.

Why Arandas makes this a worthwhile day trip

Guadalajara is a fine base for exploring Jalisco, but tequila becomes more meaningful when you see the countryside that produces it. Arandas sits in the Altos de Jalisco region, an area linked with major tequila names including Patrón, Don Julio, and Hunters.

This is not a quick tasting room stop in Guadalajara. You travel into the region, see agave fields, enter a working factory, meet a member of the Camarena family, and then visit the town itself. I like that sequence because it gives you the full chain: plant, production, tasting, and local food.

The day lasts about eight hours, with six hours devoted to the factory, fields, horses, and tasting, followed by two hours in Arandas. The drive takes a real slice of the day, but that is also the reason the outing feels different from a standard city excursion. You are going somewhere with a direct connection to the drink.

The road from Guadalajara to the agave fields

Pickup is at the OXXO on Avenida Ignacio L Vallarta and Fernando de Celada, with a 10:00 a.m. start. The air-conditioned vehicle is included, and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end.

The transport matters here. You should not book this expecting a short transfer followed by hours of activity. The reported drive is about 1.5 to 2 hours outbound and about the same on the return. That makes the trip a full day, not a half-day jaunt.

I would treat the ride as the cost of reaching the source. The tour is private, so only your group participates. That gives the day a more personal rhythm than a large coach trip, and it lets the guide adjust explanations and conversation to your group.

The meeting point is a practical city pickup rather than a hotel pickup. Check the location carefully before booking, and plan to arrive ready for a full day. Since weather can affect the tour, keep your schedule flexible if possible.

Starting with the blue agave fields

The first stop takes you to agave fields around Arandas. The purpose is simple but useful: you see the plant and learn about the early stages of tequila production before entering the factory.

The field visit helps put the later tasting in context. Instead of treating tequila as a finished product with a label, you see that it begins as an agricultural crop. The tour description promises an explanation of the agave process and elaboration, though the exact field activities and walking distance are not specified.

You should expect this part to be educational rather than a long hike or a staged photo session. Wear practical shoes and bring sun protection, since the activity includes time outdoors. Those are sensible choices for any rural stop, even though the tour does not specify the exact conditions in the fields.

The value comes from the order. You first learn where the raw material comes from, then see what happens inside the factory. That makes the production story easier to follow.

Inside La Fabrica Camarena

At La Fabrica Camarena, you receive a prepared welcome drink before the factory visit. A member of the Camarena family leads the tour, describing the tequila process and sharing stories about how the family built the facility.

That family connection is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. A factory can feel technical and distant when you only move through rooms and machinery. Here, the explanation includes personal anecdotes, which gives the machinery a human connection.

You are taken inside the factory to see the production equipment and processes. The experience is not limited to a polished tasting room. You get a closer look at the working side of tequila production, though the information provided does not list each stage or name every machine.

I would listen for the details that connect production to taste. The guided tasting later in the day should make more sense after you have seen how tequila moves from agave through the factory. If your main interest is only drinking tequila, this may feel more technical than necessary. If you want to understand what is in your glass, it adds real value.

The tour is offered in English, and the guide is part of the experience. Edgar is specifically praised for keeping the mood friendly and relaxed. A member of the Camarena family handles the factory explanation, but that person’s name is not provided, so do not expect a named guide guarantee at booking.

Horses on the charro canvas

After the factory, you ride on horseback at the charro canvas inside the facility. This is a distinctive change of pace. You move from industrial equipment to beautiful animals and open grounds, with time to live alongside the horses and take photos.

The riding is included, but the available information does not state the duration, riding level, route, or whether beginners receive a particular lesson. I would ask the operator about those points if horseback riding is the main reason you are booking.

The setting also matters. You are not being sent away to a separate ranch with no connection to the factory. The horse activity takes place on the facility grounds, so it fits naturally into the day and keeps the focus on Jalisco’s charro culture.

This part suits you if you want more than a sit-down tequila tour. It also gives non-drinkers something to enjoy, although tequila remains central to the experience. Take advantage of the photo opportunity, but follow the guide’s instructions around the animals.

Learning the four-tequila tasting

The tasting comes after the factory visit and horseback riding. A professional teaches you the correct way to taste four tequilas, rather than simply handing you several samples and leaving you to guess.

That instruction is important. A proper tasting helps you notice differences among the pours and understand why tequila is more than a shot served with salt and lime. The exact tequila styles and pour sizes are not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular bottle or a formal certification.

The welcome cocktail and four-tequila tasting are included. Lunch is not. Keep that distinction in mind, especially because the tasting comes before the meal stop and the day runs long.

I like the way this portion rounds out the factory visit. You first see how tequila is made, then learn how to approach it in the glass. If you already know tequila well, the lesson may cover familiar ground. For most people, it provides a better framework for comparing bottles and deciding what you actually enjoy.

If you plan to buy products from the brand, there is an opportunity to do so after the tasting. Buying is optional, and the tour does not include any product purchase.

Lunch and the center of Arandas

After the factory visit, the group goes to Carnitas Jaimes, described as the most famous restaurant in Arandas. Food is not included, so you pay for your own meal.

This is a good practical choice for the day. Carnitas gives you a chance to eat a local specialty rather than staying with factory refreshments. The available details do not specify menu prices or exact dishes beyond the restaurant’s carnitas focus, so bring a payment method suitable for your meal.

You then walk through the center of Arandas. This turns the trip into more than a private brand visit. You get a brief look at the town and its religious architecture, including the Parroquia de San Jose Obrero.

The church visit also includes the second-largest bell in Latin America. That is a specific detail worth remembering, since it gives the town stop a clear point of interest rather than making it a vague walk around the center.

The town segment lasts about two hours, including lunch. Keep your expectations in check: this is not a full historical tour of Arandas, and the available plan does not promise extensive sightseeing. It is a compact local stop after the factory, enough to eat, walk, and see an important landmark before heading back.

Timing, group size, and overall value

The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends back at the Guadalajara meeting point after roughly eight hours. The private format is a major plus if you value direct conversation and a flexible pace within the planned schedule.

There is no listed price in the information provided, so I cannot call it a bargain or an expensive outing by the numbers. The value depends on what you would otherwise pay for transport, a factory visit, horseback riding, a guided tasting, and a town excursion. Since the vehicle, welcome cocktail, four-tequila tasting, and horseback riding are included, you are paying for several linked experiences rather than one admission ticket.

Lunch is the main extra expense named in advance. You may also choose to buy Camarena products after the tasting. Those costs are optional, but budget for them if you want to make a full day of it.

The private setting is especially useful for couples, families, or a small group of friends who want to spend the day together. It may be less appealing if you prefer to move independently, choose your own restaurant, or avoid a long road journey.

Who should book this Arandas outing

I would recommend it to anyone staying in Guadalajara who wants tequila connected to its place of origin. It suits people who enjoy a mix of factory access, regional food, horses, and a little town sightseeing.

It is also a strong choice for first-time tequila visitors. The factory explanation and professional tasting give you a starting point, while the agave fields show the agricultural side of the drink. You do not need to already know tequila to get something from the day.

Horse lovers have an extra reason to choose it, since riding is part of the included program. The horseback portion is not described in enough detail for me to recommend it as a dedicated riding excursion, but it adds variety and a memorable change of pace.

I would think twice if you dislike long drives, have only a few hours in Guadalajara, or want a nightlife-focused tequila experience. The road time is substantial, and the day follows a set structure. It is best for someone who sees the journey to Arandas as part of the point.

Most people can participate, according to the tour information, but the horseback details are limited. If you have concerns about riding or need specific arrangements, ask Nmad Experience before booking.

Booking cautions and weather plans

This is a non-refundable experience, and changes or cancellations do not receive a refund. That makes it important to check your schedule before paying.

The tour depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Those terms are fair to note because the day includes outdoor time in the agave fields and horseback riding. I would avoid placing this tour on the final day of a tight Mexico itinerary, when a change would be difficult to absorb.

My call: book it if the road is part of the experience

Book this tour if you want to connect tequila with agave fields, a working factory, family stories, horses, and the town of Arandas. The most praised elements are the personal factory access, the friendly guiding style associated with Edgar, the hands-on production explanation, and the relaxed group atmosphere.

Skip it if you want a quick tasting close to Guadalajara or if a four-hour round trip would frustrate you. For the right person, the long ride is a fair trade for seeing where the drink comes from. Just arrive prepared for a full day, bring money for lunch, and confirm any horseback questions before you commit.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the OXXO at Avenida Ignacio L Vallarta and Fernando de Celada 2912, in Vallarta San Jorge, Guadalajara.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Does the tour return to Guadalajara?

Yes. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The group eats at Carnitas Jaimes in Arandas, and you pay for your own meal.

Is horseback riding included?

Yes. Horseback riding on the charro canvas at the facility is included.

How many tequilas are included in the tasting?

The experience includes a four-tequila tasting led by a professional, along with a welcome cocktail.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.