TEQUILA HIGHLANDS FOUR DAY EXPERIENCE

The ideal follow-up to our Valley of Tequila experience, this Highlands tequila tour is designed for the serious aficionado looking to delve further into the world of tequila knowledge.

This densely packed experience is built around some of the oldest tequila-producing families in the region, from whom you’ll learn directly in the villages of Arandas, Jesús María and Atotonilco El Alto.

Los Altos de Jalisco—the Highlands region—is famous for the red iron-rich soil that makes it one of Mexico’s most productive agricultural areas. Blue agave was planted here in the late 19th century, and the first tequila distilleries were built shortly thereafter. This itinerary has a strong emphasis on old-school tahona production—the two-ton stone wheel historically used to crush cooked agave. From mule-drawn traditional use, to genius mechanical upgrades, there is no other way to see more tahona in a few days.

Like all our experiences, this tour features immersive learning—you’ll engage all your senses around traditional brick ovens, fermentation tanks, copper alembic stills, barrel houses, laboratories, and master-class level private tastings with some of the brightest minds in the industry. We take a holistic approach to exploring the region through the people, food, music, and the deep folk knowledge behind mezcal to create a truly unforgettable cultural experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

A professional bilingual team

You’ll have a driver, a hospitality specialist, and a tour leader who is an expert in all things tequila. You will be taken care of and have all aspects of tequila production, tasting, culture, history, Jalisco, and Mexico illuminated for you by enthusiastic professionals who live and breath tequila and Mexico.

Four tequila distillery visits and tastings

We vary our itineraries to maximize our guests’ exposure to active tequila production. The four distilleries are chosen with an eye toward highlighting some of the most traditional and innovative tequila-producing families in the Highlands. We enjoy privileged access to distilleries that are not open to the public. Frequent destinations include La Alteña (NOM 1139), El Pandillo (NOM 1579), Siete Leguas (NOM 1120), Vivanco (NOM 1414), and Los Alamiques (NOM 1474).

Traditional Jaliscan Meals

We have long-standing partnerships with trusted restaurants serving typical regional fare, as well as contemporary Mexican cuisine. Our itineraries feature both elegant restaurants and humble neighborhood eateries. Guests rave about the food, and did we mention there’s fresh guacamole at pretty much every meal?

Boutique hotel accommodations

We’ll stay in Tlaquepaque (nights one and three) and Arandas (night two). The hotel in Tlaquepaque has a bar, restaurant, pool, and comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with amenities. Accommodations in Arandas are more basic, but completely comfortable.

Drinks at renowned tequila bars

Tlaquepaque’s famed Parián (the mariachi capital of the world) on night one, and at a traditional Highlands cantina on night two.

Free time to explore and shop

Explore the colonial centers of Tlaquepaque and Arandas

Private Tour Details

Duration:

Four days, three nights

Group Size:

Two to 10

Dates

September — May

Cost (US Dollars):

Varies according to group size

A 30% deposit is due upon booking. Payment in full is due one week before the tour begins.

Included

Airport pick-up and drop-off
Private, comfortable ground transportation daily
Bilingual, professional team
Four tequila distillery visits and tastings
Three nights boutique hotel accommodations
Meals and beverages

Not Included

Airfare
Tequila to take home
Tips

Sample Tour Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary only. Distilleries, hotels, restaurants and times are subject to change at any time due to production schedules, availability, weather conditions, or other circumstances.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

Various: Guadalajara International Airport arrivals, hotel transfers
Various: Sightseeing / shopping / relaxing in colonial Tlaquepaque
5:00pm: Tequila / margarita reception and agave orientation
6:30pm: Traditional Jaliscan dinner in Tlaquepaque
8:00pm: Drinks and world-class mariachis in the iconic Parián
Lodging: Hotel Villa del Ensueño, Tlaquepaque

Check out of Hotel Villa del Ensueño

8:00am: Breakfast at hotel
8:30am: Depart for the Highlands
10:30am: Private tour and tasting at first tequila distillery (e.g., La Alteña – NOM 1139)
1:30pm: Private tour, tasting, and lunch at second tequila distillery (e.g., El Pandillo – NOM 1579)
5:00pm: Free time in Arandas
7:00pm: Dinner in Arandas
9:00pm: Optional drinks around Arandas
Lodging: Hotel Hacienda Vieja, Arandas

Check out of Hotel Villa Tequila

8:15am: Breakfast, private tour and tasting at third Tequila distillery (e.g., Vivanco – NOM 1414)
10:30am: Depart for Atotonilco
11:00am: Private tour and tasting at fourth tequila distillery (e.g., Siete Leguas– NOM 1120)
1:30pm: Traditional Alteña lunch in Atotonilco
3:00pm: Depart for Tlaquepaque
5:00pm: Arrive Hotel Villa el Ensueño, free time in Tlaquepaque
8:00pm: Dinner in Tlaquepaque
10:00pm: Optional farewell drinks in Tlaquepaque
Lodging: Villa del Ensueño, Tlaquepaque

Various: Breakfast and Departures

Tour FAQs

All our multi-day and custom tequila tours begin with a driver who meets you as you exit customs at Guadalajara’s Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport (GDL) and transports you to the hotel. Your tour also includes drop-off back at the airport at the end of the experience.

Our four-day, three-night tours spend nights one and three at the same Tlaquepaque hotel, and night two in Tequila or the Highlands. While a daily check-out isn’t ideal, this is a deliberate choice to minimize time spent in the van and maximize time spent experiencing tequila! Each morning, we ask that you have your luggage packed and ready to be loaded into the van when you come to breakfast. Most guests don’t need all their stuff with them, and are more than welcome to leave luggage at the Tlaquepaque hotel when we depart on day two. It will be kept locked up and be waiting for you when we return at the end of day three.

Dress in comfortable clothes and good walking shoes. We strongly discourage sandals, cowboy boots and heels during the day. We will be at high elevation with lots of sun, so bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen. Plan for warm days and cool nights – you’ll want a light jacket, sweater or wrap for nighttime. In general, Mexicans dress more formally than North Americans. You may want to bring one nicer outfit for going out at night.

Jalisco is warm and dry most of the year. We tend to avoid scheduling experiences during the rainy season (June-early September), which features near daily thunderstorms. However, climate change is a reality in Mexico and the weather is increasingly unpredictable. We recommend bringing a light jacket just in case. May is the hottest month of the year in Jalisco, and January is the coolest. Expect daytime highs between 80-90 F (27-32 C) in Guadalajara, and overnight lows between 45-60 F (7-15 C). Add as much as 10 F for daytime highs in the Tequila Valley, and subtract as much as 10F for overnight lows in the Highlands.

Since our guests come from various time zones, day four is essentially just a departure day. Breakfast on day four is included, but there are no other formal activities on the itinerary. Feel free to book your departure flight as early as needed. On the other hand, we’re also happy to make recommendations for extra hours or days in and around Guadalajara.

Still have questions? Explore our FAQ page »

I have been on four 3-day tours with Experience Agave to Tequila and the Highlands over the past six years. Kami is one of a kind. Her knowledge of the tequila process and history is extensive and she has taught me something new each time. The tours are amazing.

–Cori OD (Tripadvisor reviewer)
Can’t recommend Experience Agave enough. The Highlands trip was everything we hoped for. Kami was friendly, knowledgeable, and well-known throughout the tequila industry. All the pesky travel details were taken care of, and we were able to relax and enjoy unbelievable access to the tequila industry and local culture. I would say it was a “once in a lifetime” experience, but we are already talking about going back for the Valley trip or a mezcal trip.

–Ari W (Tripadvisor reviewer)
Bring an extra suitcase for bottles of tequila, a lot of room in your stomach, an open mind, a full heart, and an inquisitive spirit and you’ll have the time of your LIFE.

–jaybaer00 (Tripadvisor reviewer)

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