Horseback Riding Tour in The Agave Field with Lunch

The best part of this horseback tour near Tequila is the change of pace. You leave Guadalajara by air-conditioned vehicle, then trade city streets for blue agave fields in Amatitán, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site shaped by centuries of agave farming and tequila making.

I like the small-group format and the useful mix of activities: riding, a factory visit, and a proper meal. I also like the chance to meet the process at a local tequila maker rather than simply stopping for a quick bottle-shop tasting. Delfino is named as a guide, and several experiences praise his clear explanations and friendly manner.

The main thing to check before paying is the group-size information. The tour is promoted as a maximum of eight people, while the additional details say up to 10. Alcoholic drinks are also listed as not included, so confirm exactly what any tasting involves.

Key points to know before you book

• Horseback riding in Amatitán: The ride takes you through the blue agave country around Tequila, not just into a distillery.
• Cofradía factory visit: You see how an artisan producer handles tequila production and learn how agave becomes the spirit.
• Lunch underground: La Taberna del Cofrade provides the meal in an underground restaurant, one of the tour’s more unusual settings.
• Pickup from Guadalajara: You wait in your hotel lobby at 9 a.m. for transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Small group, with a size detail to verify: The main description says eight people, while the additional information says 10.
• Six hours with food included: Brunch is covered, but alcoholic beverages are not, and you should eat breakfast first.

Riding through the blue agave country

The day begins with hotel pickup at 9 a.m. in Guadalajara. You wait in the lobby, then ride in an air-conditioned vehicle toward Amatitán, a practical arrangement that saves you from organizing separate transport into the Tequila region.

The central setting is the Agave Landscape of Tequila, a 35,019-hectare UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, blue agave fields are not just pretty scenery. They are working farmland tied to Mexican identity, local jobs, tequila production, and older traditions that used agave for fermented drinks and cloth.

That context matters once you are on horseback. You are not riding through a decorative ranch built only for visitors. The fields belong to a long agricultural story that reaches back at least two thousand years, while the modern tequila industry took shape more strongly from the 16th century onward.

The ride gives you a slower view of this country. From a vehicle, the agave fields pass in a blur. On horseback, you have more time to notice the repeated rows of plants, the broad open views, and the way the countryside connects directly to the spirit made here.

The supplied details do not specify the exact riding time, horse experience required, or whether helmets are supplied. That is worth asking before you go, especially if you have never ridden. Wear comfortable clothes, as advised, and choose footwear suitable for spending time outdoors. You should also eat breakfast beforehand, since the meal comes later in the day.

This is likely a better match for someone who wants a countryside outing than for someone seeking a serious riding lesson. The tour’s focus is the complete day: agave fields, tequila production, and lunch, rather than technical horsemanship.

Why Amatitán gives the tour its sense of place

Amatitán is more than a departure point for the ride. It sits inside the cultural area associated with Tequila, where agave farming and distilling have shaped the local economy and Mexico’s national image.

Agave has been used in this region for at least two millennia. Long before modern tequila branding, people used the plant for fermented drinks such as pulque and for cloth. Tequila came later, with production methods and distilleries developing over time.

The area also influenced Mexican film, music, and dance. You may not get a formal lesson in all of those subjects during the ride, but the setting helps explain why tequila country appears so often in Mexican popular culture.

The UNESCO designation gives the countryside extra meaning, but it does not turn the ride into a museum visit. You are seeing a living agricultural area with working fields and distilleries. That makes the experience more grounded than a simple city tasting, though it also means the scenery may feel open and rural rather than packed with sights every few minutes.

The available schedule gives Amatitán two hours. That sounds like the main outdoor portion of the day, but exact riding time is not stated. If horseback time is your top reason for booking, ask how much of those two hours is spent mounted and how much includes transfers or orientation.

Inside the Cofradía artisan factory

After the outdoor portion, the tour visits the Cofradía tequila factory. The purpose is to explain the production process in an artisan setting.

This stop adds value because it connects what you have just seen in the fields with what ends up in a bottle. Agave is not an abstract ingredient here. It grows in the surrounding country, then moves through a series of production steps at the factory.

You should expect a guided explanation rather than a long technical course. The tour is offered in English, and Delfino is specifically praised for explaining the agave plant, the origins of extraction, and tequila’s development. If he leads your day, you can expect the factory visit to be shaped by spoken interpretation and questions.

The factory visit lasts about one hour. That is enough time for a useful introduction without making the day feel like a full industrial tour. The word artisan suggests a smaller-scale setting, though the supplied information does not spell out every production method or identify which parts of the process you will see.

There is a point to keep clear: alcoholic beverages are not included. Some accounts of the experience describe tequila tasting, including a tasting of what was called 100 percent non-distilled tequila. That wording is unusual, and the inclusion details specifically exclude alcohol. Ask the operator what tasting, if any, is available, what it costs, and whether it is part of the scheduled visit or an optional purchase.

That small clarification can prevent disappointment. If you mainly want to taste tequila, do not assume the advertised factory stop includes drinks. If your priority is understanding how tequila is made, the factory should still be worthwhile without a tasting.

Lunch below ground at La Taberna del Cofrade

Lunch takes place at La Taberna del Cofrade, an underground restaurant connected with the Cofradía visit. This is one of the more memorable details of the day because the setting is different from a standard roadside meal.

The meal is described as brunch in the included services, while the itinerary calls it lunch. In practical terms, plan on a substantial midday meal rather than a morning snack. The food received especially strong praise, and one account calls it outstanding. That makes the meal more than a necessary pause between activities.

The underground setting also gives the stop a sense of occasion without requiring a formal dining experience. You move from open agave fields and factory explanations into a more enclosed, distinctive place for food.

The exact menu is not provided, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or dietary arrangement unless you confirm it first. The tour does include brunch, but alcoholic drinks are excluded. That distinction matters at a tequila-focused venue, where you may see bottles or tasting options available for separate payment.

The schedule allows one hour here. That should give you time to eat and talk, but it is not a leisurely afternoon meal. If you prefer long restaurant stops, this tour keeps moving.

The value of pickup, transport, and a six-hour schedule

Pickup from your Guadalajara hotel is one of the strongest practical features. You do not need to find a bus station, arrange a taxi to a rural meeting point, or spend the morning navigating unfamiliar roads.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome detail for a warm countryside outing. The tour lasts about six hours, so the day is long enough to reach the agave region, spend time outdoors, visit the factory, and eat without turning into an exhausting full-day expedition.

The 9 a.m. start also works well for a day trip. You have a clear meeting routine: wait in the hotel lobby. The information does not state how long the drive from Guadalajara takes, so you should not plan another fixed activity immediately after the six-hour estimate.

Pickup is described from Guadalajara accommodations. One experience had a pickup adjusted for someone staying in Tequila, but you should not assume that option is automatic. If you are staying outside Guadalajara, ask before booking.

The group-size details need a little care. The tour highlights a maximum of eight people, which would make it easier to hear the guide and keep the riding portion personal. The additional information says the activity can have up to 10 people. That is still fairly small, but the difference is worth confirming if a quiet, intimate outing matters to you.

What the positive feedback tells you about the day

The strongest praise centers on organization, the guide, the food, and the setting. That combination tells me this tour is less about one blockbuster sight and more about how the pieces fit together.

Delfino receives particular attention. He is described as explaining the agave plant, extraction, and the tour’s subject clearly. A Spanish-language account also says he explained the outing very well. That matters because a countryside tour can otherwise become a series of pleasant views without much understanding.

The staff are also described as welcoming and kind. That is useful to know when the experience includes several handoffs: hotel pickup, horseback riding, a factory visit, and a restaurant meal.

The food earns unusually strong praise. If you value a good meal as part of a day trip, that is a reason to consider this outing. The tasting is also described as unique and fun, though again, the official inclusion details say alcoholic beverages are not included.

The views receive strong approval as well. That fits the route’s main appeal: you are spending time in one of Mexico’s most recognizable agricultural regions, where the agave fields supply the visual identity of the day.

The rating information is excellent, with five stars from nine reviews. That is encouraging, but nine opinions are still a small sample. I would treat it as a sign of consistent satisfaction, not proof that every rider will have the same experience.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this experience if you want several Guadalajara-area highlights in one organized outing. It suits you especially well if you like countryside scenery, local food, cultural background, and a moderate amount of activity.

It is a good option for:

• First-time visitors who want an introduction to agave and tequila country
• Couples or small groups who prefer a guided day instead of arranging transport
• Riders who want a scenic horseback outing rather than a dedicated riding course
• Food-focused visitors who care about the lunch setting
• Anyone interested in how tequila is made, not just in drinking it
• English-speaking visitors who want a guide-led experience

I would hesitate if you dislike horses, need exact riding instructions in advance, or want a full day in Tequila town. The supplied schedule names Amatitán, Cofradía, and La Taberna del Cofrade, but it does not promise extended free time in Tequila town.

You should also think carefully about alcohol expectations. This is a tequila-centered experience, but alcoholic drinks are not included. If tasting is essential, get the details before you commit.

Booking details that matter

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The operator is Aventurate Por Jalisco.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted. The cutoff uses local time.

Weather matters because the horseback portion takes place outdoors. If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour also needs a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

No price is provided in the information available here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. The value will depend on how the price compares with arranging private transport, a separate agave-country visit, a factory tour, and lunch. Since this outing combines all of those elements and includes pickup, air-conditioned transport, and brunch, it can be a good package for someone who values convenience.

Before booking, I would confirm four points: the final maximum group size, the amount of actual horseback riding, what the tasting includes, and whether pickup applies to your exact accommodation.

Should you book this agave and horseback tour?

Book it if you want an easy, well-organized introduction to the Tequila region with scenic riding, clear cultural context, a factory visit, and an unusual underground meal. The combination is varied, and the day does not rely on tequila tasting alone.

I would especially recommend it to someone staying in Guadalajara who wants to see the countryside without renting a car. Delfino’s guide style, the praised food, and the friendly service add confidence.

Skip it if you want a serious equestrian experience, lots of free time in Tequila town, or alcohol included in the base price. For everyone else, confirm the riding and tasting details, wear comfortable clothes, eat breakfast first, and expect a six-hour day that connects the agave fields to the bottle.

FAQ

Where does the horseback riding take place?

The ride takes place in Amatitán, within the Agave Landscape of Tequila, a UNESCO World Heritage site associated with blue agave farming and tequila production.

What time does the tour begin?

Pickup begins at 9 a.m. You should wait for the guide in your hotel lobby.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The experience includes pickup and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Brunch is included, and the meal takes place at La Taberna del Cofrade, an underground restaurant.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. The available information also describes tequila tasting, so ask the operator what is offered and whether any tasting costs extra.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may result in another date, another experience, or a full refund.