Tequilero Tour with Horseback Riding

The best part of this day is the mix of tequila making and horseback riding at La Fábrica Camarena in Arandas. You see agave fields, walk through a working factory with a member of the Camarena family, then ride horses on the factory grounds before sitting down to a four-course tequila tasting.

I like the personal scale of the visit, especially the family stories and the chance to see the machines inside the factory. I also like that the tour adds a meal stop at Carnitas Jaimes and a short walk through Arandas, rather than treating tequila as the whole day. The main drawback is the drive: allow about 1.5 to 2 hours each way from Guadalajara, so much of this eight-hour outing is spent on the road.

Key points to know

• Agave fields come first: You get a look at the plants and the early stages of tequila production before entering the factory.
• A Camarena family member leads the factory visit: Expect personal stories alongside an explanation of the machinery and production process.
• Horseback riding takes place at the factory: This is a short, photo-friendly activity on the charro canvas and grounds, not a long countryside ride.
• The tequila tasting is taught, not rushed: A professional explains the correct way to taste four different tequila preparations.
• Arandas adds local flavor: Lunch at Carnitas Jaimes is not included, followed by the city center, its church, and the second-largest bell in Latin America.
• The day is private: Only your own group participates, with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

From Guadalajara to the agave fields of Arandas

This tour begins at 10:00 a.m. at the OXXO on Avenida Ignacio L. Vallarta and Fernando de Celada in Guadalajara. From there, you travel by air-conditioned vehicle to Arandas, a city in the Altos de Jalisco region.

The journey takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours in each direction. That is the first practical point to weigh. You are not booking a quick tequila tasting close to Guadalajara. You are giving up a large part of the day to reach a production area associated with major tequila names such as Patrón, Don Julio, and Hunters.

I think the drive makes sense if you want the setting and the production story, not just a glass at a city bar. The Altos region gives the day a stronger connection to the source of tequila. Still, if you have limited time in Guadalajara or dislike long road transfers, this may feel transport-heavy.

The exact route and road conditions can affect the timing, so keep the rest of your day open. The stated duration is about eight hours, and the tour returns to the same Guadalajara meeting point.

Seeing tequila before tasting it

The first stop in Arandas focuses on the agavero fields. You get to see where the process begins and learn how the agave is handled before tequila reaches the factory.

That order matters. Many tastings begin with a neat pour and a short explanation. Here, you first connect the drink with the plant and the production area. The information provided does not specify every farming step or the length of time spent in the fields, so expect an introduction rather than a full agricultural workshop.

Still, this is a useful start for anyone who wants more context. You can ask about the agave process while you are looking at the fields, then carry those questions into the factory visit. It also gives you a sense of place before the more structured tasting later in the day.

Bring a phone or camera if you want photos, but remember that this is a working production visit rather than a staged photo stop. The tour is offered in English, which helps if you want the explanations about production and tasting delivered in that language.

Inside La Fábrica Camarena with the family

The factory visit is the heart of the experience. At La Fábrica Camarena, you receive a welcome cocktail and meet a member of the Camarena family, who takes you through the facility.

This personal connection is one of the tour’s strongest features. You are not only hearing a general account of tequila production. You are also getting family anecdotes about how the factory came together and developed. That gives the visit a more human feel than a standard walk through an industrial building.

You get to see the machinery and learn about the different processes used to make tequila. The available details do not list each machine or production stage, so I would not book this expecting a technical engineering tour. Instead, think of it as a guided factory walk with explanations, stories, and a close look at the working side of the brand.

The tour is private, meaning only your own group participates. That can make a real difference here. You can ask questions without trying to catch a guide’s voice over a large crowd, and the pace may feel more personal. The guide may be Edgar, who has been described as friendly and fun, or another guide from Nmad Experience depending on the booking.

The welcome cocktail is included. It gives you an early taste of the brand, but the main lesson comes later during the formal four-course tasting.

Horseback riding on the charro canvas

After the factory visit, you ride horses on the charro canvas inside the facility. This is a chance to spend time with the animals, take photographs, and add a traditional Mexican equestrian element to the day.

Be clear about what this activity is. The information describes horseback riding on the grounds, not a long trail ride through the agave fields. If you are booking mainly for an extended horseback excursion, the length and pace may not meet your expectations. If you want a pleasant ride and a few memorable photos as part of a tequila day, it fits well.

The location also gives the riding a strong connection to the factory. You are not being driven to a separate ranch for a disconnected activity. The horses are part of the same visit, and the charro canvas provides a distinctly Mexican setting.

Most travelers can participate, according to the tour information. Even so, you should consider your own comfort around horses and riding before booking. No specific riding experience, weight limit, or age rule is provided, so ask Nmad Experience if you need those details.

Learning how to taste four tequilas

The tasting follows the horseback activity and is led by a professional. Rather than simply handing you several drinks, the instructor explains the proper way to taste tequila.

This is valuable if you usually drink tequila as a shot or mix it into a cocktail. A guided tasting can help you pay attention to differences in aroma, flavor, and finish. The tour describes it as a four-course tasting, though it does not identify the exact tequila types or labels included on a given date.

The welcome cocktail and four-course tasting are included in the experience. Lunch is not. That distinction is important when you compare the overall value. You are paying for private transport, the factory visit, the family-led explanation, horseback riding, and the tequila program, but you should budget separately for your meal in Arandas.

If you do not drink alcohol, the supplied information does not explain whether alternatives are available. Contact the provider before booking if that matters to you. For drinkers who want more than a casual sampling, the tasting lesson is likely one of the most useful parts of the day.

You can also buy Camarena products after the tasting if you find something you like. Purchases are optional and are not part of the tour price.

Lunch and the center of Arandas

After the factory visit and tasting, the group goes to Carnitas Jaimes, described as the most famous restaurant in Arandas. Lunch is at your own expense, so bring a payment method and leave room in your budget.

The restaurant stop gives the day a local food break instead of keeping you inside the factory grounds. Carnitas are a natural fit for the region’s food culture, and the stop is also practical after a morning of travel, walking, and tasting. The tour does not specify the menu, meal duration, or whether vegetarian dishes are available, so ask your guide or the restaurant if you have dietary needs.

After eating, you walk through the city center to see the Parroquia de San Jose Obrero and the second-largest bell in Latin America. This is not a long city sightseeing tour, but it adds a little local context to Arandas.

I like this part because it keeps the day from becoming a brand visit only. You get a glimpse of the town connected to the tequila region, with a church and an unusual architectural detail to look for. Keep your expectations in check: the stated time for this stop is about two hours, including the meal and town walk, so it is an introduction rather than a full historical tour.

What the private format changes

This is a private activity. Only your group takes part, and the tour returns to the original meeting point in Guadalajara.

A private format is especially useful for a day with several moving parts. You can ask questions during the long drive, spend more time on subjects that interest your group, and avoid being attached to a large bus schedule. It also suits families, couples, or friends who want to share a tasting and horseback activity without strangers joining them.

The tradeoff is that the price may be higher than a large group tour, although no tour price is provided here. I would judge the value by what you want from the day. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport to Arandas, a factory tour, a guided tasting, and horseback riding, having those pieces arranged in one private outing can be worthwhile. If your main goal is simply to sample tequila, the full-day drive may be more than you need.

The air-conditioned vehicle is another practical benefit. With a long outbound and return journey, a comfortable vehicle matters more than it would on a short transfer.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

Start at 10:00 a.m. and plan for the full day. Since the tour ends back at the meeting point, do not schedule an evening activity too tightly after the estimated return.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that condition is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Your booking is confirmed at the time of reservation. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so check your schedule carefully before paying. Lunch is extra, and tequila purchases at the factory are also optional.

Wear clothes and shoes suitable for walking and horseback riding. The supplied details do not give a formal dress code, but practical clothing makes sense for the agave fields, factory, town walk, and riding activity. Bring a camera if photographs matter to you, especially for the horses and factory grounds.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this tour if you want tequila explained from several angles: the agave fields, the production floor, the family story, the tasting table, and the town where the visit takes place.

It is a good match for:

• First-time visitors who want an organized introduction to tequila
• People interested in family-run or family-connected production stories
• Small groups who value a private guide and flexible questions
• Anyone who likes combining food, drink, animals, and a little town sightseeing
• Visitors willing to spend several hours on the road for a more regional experience

I would think twice if you want a short activity near central Guadalajara, a long horseback trail ride, or a detailed tour of Arandas’ history. The day covers several themes, but none is presented as a full specialist course.

Should you book the Tequilero Tour with Horseback Riding?

Book it if the combination is what appeals to you. The strongest reasons are the Camarena family connection, the chance to see inside the factory, the professional four-course tasting, and the private format. The horseback riding and Arandas town walk give the day more variety than a factory visit alone.

Skip it if the 1.5 to 2 hour drive each way feels too long or if you want a focused equestrian outing. Also remember that lunch is not included, and the personal cancellation policy means you should be sure of your date before booking.

For the right person, this is a full tequila-country day, not just a tasting. You return to Guadalajara having seen the plant, the production setting, the family behind the brand, the horses, the tasting method, and a small part of Arandas.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the OXXO at Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta and Fernando de Celada 2912, Av. Ignacio L. Vallarta, Vallarta San Jorge, 44690 Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

What time does the experience begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Guadalajara.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at Carnitas Jaimes is not included in the tour price.

What tequila activities are included?

The tour includes a welcome cocktail, a four-course tequila tasting led by a professional, and a visit through La Fábrica Camarena with a member of the Camarena family.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.