Land of Tequila

Introduction
Central Mexico Mexico
Traditional Mexico in Jalisco. Historic haciendas in the land of Tequila, Charreria, and Charros.

This tour is a fabled gateway to start your true Mexican experience in the Lagos de Moreno region (North East of Jalisco) which has been deemed as a Pueblo Mágico; a magic town because of its unique cultural, historical, and natural heritage.

In this tour, you will ride across historic haciendas, and along sections of the old Camino Real de Tierra Adentro also known as the Silver Route ("The Royal Road of the Interior Land", a 2,560-kilometre-long trade route between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, used from 1598 to 1882).  You will canter across sandy trails, hills, and mountains; through alfalfa and corn crops, and reach the spectacular Canyon of Alcazar with its peculiar rock formations. Interact with the local cowboys and participate in their working activities. Of course: all this comes with true Mexican hospitality.

And if you want to extend your trip, we suggest a visit to nearby Lagos de Moreno, Guadalajara (Jalisco's capital city - only a 2-hour drive away), the Tequila region (3-hour drive) or even the resort town of Puerto Vallarta (7-hour drive).

Accomodation


Accommodations
Choose between the progressive or stationary (all nights at Hacienda Sepulveda) option.

Description
Laundry can be done at Hacienda Sepulveda for a small fee.

Land of Tequila Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Nights 1 & 2: Hacienda San Cirilo
Nights 3 & 4: Puerta del Coche
Nights 5 & 6: Hacienda Tlalixcoyan
Nights 7 & 8: Hacienda Sepulveda


Hacienda San Cirilo
Jorge and Lena have been rebuilding this hacienda dating back to 1865 little by little. Each room has its own style with an ensuite bathroom and overlooks the stables. Wi-Fi is available.



Puerta del Coche Ranch
This accommodation features spacious and comfortable guestrooms.



Hacienda Tlalixcoyan
It has been owned by the Gomez family for over 400 years. The owners will give you a warm welcome and tell you stories and anecdotes about the property.



Hacienda Sepulveda
The present owners, the Serranos, have had the property for 3 generations. The Hacienda has been a working ranch for 360 years and dates back to the 17th century. It is now a 4-star boutique Hotel with 26 rooms and exquisite spa facilities including a temazcal (ceremonial Indigenous low heat sweat lodge). The Hacienda is even listed in the top 10 best Hotel Hacienda’s in Mexico by Travel & Leisure magazine.
Guests will quickly find themselves feeling at home, assuming that home is filled with exquisite antiques. Each room in the hacienda has its own personality, and all have either a fireplace or antique wood-burning stove for those nippy winter nights. Many of the rooms have arched brick ceilings, and each has its own unique chandelier. Since a number of the rooms have separate full beds, you should specify if you prefer a twin or king-sized beds. 
You will sleep in a comfortable Suite, featuring a TV, free Wi Fi internet and a private bathroom. Some rooms offer a terrace, and a hot tub.
There is nothing better than the pool and spa after a day in the saddle. Other amenities include holistic massage, steam room, Jacuzzi and sauna.

Room Occupancy
For solo travelers willing to share, a single supplement fee is charged if we don’t find you any roommate.



Meals
All meals are included on any of the 3 trip options.

The meals are mostly homemade Mexican food. Lunch is eaten on the trail and breakfasts and dinners are eaten in the restaurants of accommodations. Sometimes it is a buffet, in some cases a BBQ…
Hacienda Sepulveda is proud to serve traditional Mexican dishes prepared with old family recipes and organic local vegetables from the Huerta or brought fresh from the town market. 

Drinks are not included on this trip and guests are not allowed to bring their own bottles.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

Riding


The riding country is varied and the pace is adjusted accordingly. On 4 of the 6 riding days the riders have good opportunities for some nice controlled canters, the other 2 days you ride through canyons and rough country with little or no opportunities for faster paced riding - but it is spectacular.
There is 1 guide for every 5 rider.

Itinerary


Please, note that the itineraries below are just an indication and changes can be made at the tour operator's discretion.
For instance, sequence of the haciendas may change from week to week.

Note: Non riders are welcome to join these itineraries and benefit from a discount. Inquire for more information.


Luxury Tour Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Guests will be picked up at the airport and transferred to Hotel Hacienda Sepulveda & SPA (50 min by car using highway 45 D toll road). At check-in, our guests will receive a welcome free-cocktail and a courtesy hand massage.
Members of the family (horse fanatics themselves!) and owners of the hacienda for more than three centuries, will give you a tour.
Later, you will go an introductory short ride to get to know the horses.
Welcome dinner to enjoy some food specialties from the Hacienda.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 2: Ride to La Puerta del Coche Ranch
Today, we will ride towards La Puerta del Coche Ranch, along the old Camino Real (Royal Road). We will have opportunities to canter in some parts of the trail. When we arrive at the La Puerta del Coche Ranch (after about 3 hours riding), we will have a nice welcome with Tequila and cold beer. Later, we will have a tour of the ranch.
A nice cowboy's lunch will be served. After lunch, we will ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda: a nice evening ride on well-maintained trails will offer us a good ride.
Arrive in Hacienda Sepulveda after a 3-hour ride, in time for a hot tub and relax time.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 3: Ride to Hacienda San Cayetano
After having breakfast in the garden, we ride towards Hacienda San Cayetano. We will pass by a mesquite forest, where we can canter on the trails, and enjoy the nice landscapes formed by different species of Cactus, Nopales, and Pirules. Then, we will have a lot of fun while we ride ascending and descending the hills in The Canyon of the Alcazar. Also, we will see some cows and bulls. We should arrive at the hacienda after riding for about 4 hours.
Pita and Juan Alcazar, the Hacienda owners, will welcome us with a courtesy drink; a cold beer or Tequila, and snacks. Pita will cook us a delicious lunch. While sipping a good Mexican wine or Tequila, Pita will show us about the Equinotherapy, which she has been doing for the last 20 years. It is interesting to know more about the theory and allows anyone to learn. Juan will also show us how he trains his registered quarter horses and gives us an explanation of the Mexican rein. At this ranch, they have about 30 horses.
Then ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda (about 2 hours).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 4: Ride to Sabindas Ranch
Today, we will transfer by car to Sabindas Ranch. We will ride around the ranch; across nice landscapes of mesquite and cactus. We will go down the hill and follow the cattle path; see the reservoir at the Sabindas dam and ride by the water. In the rainy season, sometimes, we will have to swim with the horses to get across. We continue riding along the reservoir and will stop at the top, to rest for a while, and water the horses. After about 4 hours of riding, we will get back to the ranch and have a superb lunch. If Ernesto is in town, he will give us the best of the Mexican BBQ experience! The specialties here are Lechon (pork) and grilled Fish. After lunch, transfer back to Hacienda Sepulveda.
Today, we will have a special dinner in The Corral de los Magueyes.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 5: Ride to The Equestrian Centre “ La Herencia”
Ride 2.5 hrs from Sepulveda towards The Equestrian Centre named “La Herencia”. Eugenio Macias, a very well know horse trainer and horse whisper in this area will show us how it is done. We will be able to ride in the arena, do some team penning, and learn how to rope. You will also have the opportunity to do some jumping practice if you want.
We will have a Ranchero meal (Cowboy lunch), with a nice cold beer. After lunch, you can ride in the arena before heading back to the hacienda (about 2 hours).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 6: Ride to Hacienda San Cayetano
We saddle the horses and ride about 4 hours towards Hacienda San Cayetano. We will pass by mesquite forest where we can canter on the trails and enjoy a nice landscape formed by different species of Cactus, Nopales, and Pirules. We will also pass by el Potrero de la Angostura, where during the rainy season there is a nice waterfall. 
We then continue riding and enter the potrero where the mares are. In this part of the ranch there are lots of Palma del Desierto (Desert Palms). If you are lucky the ranch might be doing some cattle work when we get there.
For Lunch, you will taste a dish called Discada. This is a vaqueros meal, made on an iron disc over wood fire. It is a delicious dish made of beef, pork, chicken, bacon, onions, pepper, pineapple and many more delicious things.
After lunch, we make our way back to Hacienda Sepulveda, riding for about 1.5 hours.
Upon arrival at the hacienda, you will have time to shower before we take you on a small tour of the nearby town: Lagos de Moreno, a UNESCO world heritage site. After our tour, we will have dinner in a Restaurant in the city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 7: Ride to Hacienda La Estancia
This morning, we ride about 2.5 hours to Hacienda La Estancia, one of the most beautiful properties in the area. We will take an old muleteer road, before joining the old Camino Real road. On the way, we will have some opportunities to canter. 
The food served in the hacienda is excellent.
After lunch, we ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda for about 2.5 hrs.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 8: Ride to Hacienda Tlalixcoyan
Today, we go for a 3-hour ride to a beautiful and authentic hacienda: Hacienda Tlalixcoyan. The first part of our trail, we pass through open fields where they grow alfalfa (main ingredient of a typical Mexican drink called agua de alfalfa, also a premium cattle pasture) and then we start following the ancient Camino Real with its beautiful little bridges.
After 1.5 hours, we start following the Lagos River. Riding along this river, we have plenty of shade and plenty of opportunities to do some cantering! On our way to Hacienda Tlalixcoyan, we also pass the deserted hacienda of “Cieneguilla” where sometimes cows stand grazing in the living room- a beautiful sight for pictures! Before arriving at the Hacienda, Pablo Gomez-Portugal, the owner, is already waiting for us on his horse with a bottle of tequila! As we drink our tequila shots on horseback, we get closer to Hacienda Tlalixcoyan, where a superb Mexican meal awaits us, and all homemade by the lady of the house: Horalia. The homemade flan is the best you can find in Mexico! After lunch, the host family will show us their Hacienda.
Then it is time to get back in the saddle and ride 3 hours back to Hacienda Sepulveda, following the Lagos River, and then taking the old Camino Real.
In the evening, farewell dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 9: Departure
Transfer to the airport after breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast



In the Land of Tequila Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
We will pick you up in the airport and transfer you to Hacienda Tlalixcoyan. This Hacienda has been part of the Gomez Family for more than 400 years. We will eat  a delicious lunch at this hacienda; Family recipes will be served.
Free afternoon to relax. This hacienda has a nice trail by the river and you can also do some bird watching. As it gets dark enjoy the beautiful starry sky.
Dinner will be served in the dining room, and after our meal, we will spend some time talking with a good Mexican red wine.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Tlalixcoyan

Day 2: Ride to Sabindas Ranch
A tasty Mexican breakfast will be served.
This morning, we will ride for about 3.5 hrs. to Sabindas Ranch. This cattle ranch covers 1200 hectares. We will be riding along the trails and paths of this ranch, riding around the dam to enjoy a nice view of the oak trees and rocky formations. Here, we can see plenty of Cactus, Nopales, Garanbuyos and Desert Palms.
Lunch will be served at the Ranch with cowboys, horsemen and members of the Serrano Family, who own the ranch. We will eat a delicious Pork “Carnitas” or Discada Vaquera. With your meal, you will be served a cold beer and off course a very good Tequila. After our meal, Lupe our guide, will play the guitar and sign some of his songs and Mexican popular music.
In the afternoon, ride back to Hacienda Tlalixcoyan where we will see a nice sunset, arriving at the Hacienda just after dark
A very good dinner will be served and it will be a good time for a good talk and another after dinner moment with some drinks available.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Tlalixcoyan

Day 3: Hacienda Tlalixcoyan to La Puerta del Coche
During today’s ride, we are going to ride next to the irrigation canal of the dam of Cuarenta. On our way,we will have the opportunity to canter before riding along the muleteer trails, cutting through the alfalfa and corn fields. After 2 hrs. we will arrive in the village of San Miguel del Cuarenta. Then, we continue riding on a wooded path next to Lagos river. We will arrive at La Soledad Casa Rural just in time for a superb lunch. After lunch, we can try a refreshing digestive called Carajillos.
We then ride for about 2.5 hrs towards Hacienda La Puerta del Coche a nice Hotel with spacious and comfortable rooms.
After check-in, free evening so you can enjoy the swimming pool, which has a very pleasant thermal water.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at La Puerta del Coche

Day 4: Vaqueros Ride
After breakfast, we ride around the property of Puerta del Coche, helping the cowboys in their daily work (cattle herding and sometimes if we are lucky, branding and vaccinating the cattle). We then ride to the 2 dams of the property.
We eat our lunch in the restaurant of the hotel and have a free afternoon to relax. You can go on a hike, do some mountain biking or just relax in the pool with a good
cocktail.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at La Puerta del Coche

Day 5: La Purta del Coche to Hacienda La Estancia
Today, we ride to a very nice Hacienda called Santa Rita. On our way, we ride besides an important dairy farm and the continue our ride towards Hacienda San Nicolas. We will have the opportunity to visit this nice Hacienda, who has the particularity of having their own private Bullring. Stretch your legs and walk around before getting back in the saddle. Ride along thee canal and cross the village of Primero de Mayo, before fording the Lagos river. After the river crossing, we continue riding on lovely trails with many trees and pleasant views. We will arrive to the spectacular Hacienda La Estancia, one of the largest in the region, where we will be received by Ernesto Serrano, the owner, and his family.
Lunch in the amazing dining room, decorated with old antique Italian furniture. The food you are going to eat here is very authentic, but not too spicy.
After eating we will have some free time to enjoy the swimming pool or just relax in the hacienda gardens.
Light dinner will be served in the dining room around 8:30 PM
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda La Estancia

Day 6: Hacienda La Estancia to Hacienda Sepulveda
After a delicious breakfast in the Hacienda, we go to the horse stables. The first part of today's trail goes by the reservoir. Here, we have plenty of shadow and some opportunities to do some nice canters. Then, we will be riding on the ancient silver road 'The Camino Real'. Some parts of the old road has a wall of adobes on both sides and you will see the old brick bridges.
We will pass a deserted hacienda “Cieneguilla” a beautiful sight for pictures. Then, we will pass near Hacienda La Labor de Padilla, riding on a very nice trail besides the Lagos River.
After 3.5 hrs in the saddle, we will arrive to Hacienda Sepulveda, one of the best Hacienda Hotels in the region.
Dinner at the hotel restaurant with a good range of dishes to choose from.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 7: Hacienda San Cayetano Ride
Enjoy breakfast in the Hacienda garden. Today, we ride to the Hacienda San Cayetano (approx. 1.5 hrs one way), along a rural road. We then continue to The Canyon of the Alcazar, enjoying a thrilling ride ascending and then descending the hills through the Canyon. During our ride, we will see cows and bulls.
After riding through the pastures and the trails of the property we will arrive to the Hacienda itself, where Pita and Juan Alcazar the owners, will receive us with a courtesy drink and snacks,
In the afternoon, Pita will do a Equinotherapy demonstration. She has been doing this for the last 20 years. Then, Juan will give us a demonstration of how to handle a horse with the charra rein.
Have a nice time with this friendly family listening to music and enjoying the atmosphere of this hacienda
Then, it is time to ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda.
Free evening to enjoy hotel facilities: swimming pool, hot tub, and a nice relaxing massage in the SPA.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 8: La Herencia Ride
After breakfast, we ride to the Equestrian Centre “La Herencia” (approx. 1.5 hrs one way). There, Eugenio Macias, a very well know horse trainer and horse whisperer will give us a demonstration of Natural Horsemanship. As a bonus, you we will be able to ride in the arena and do team penning with the cattle, learn how to rope... You will also have the opportunity to learn more about horses and the Mexican style of riding.
Then, we will have a Ranchero meal (Cowboy lunch), with a nice cold beer, Tequila, music and meet with other riders and horse people.
In the afternoon, ride back to Hacienda Sepulveda. We will then drive to the Unesco World heritage city of Lagos de Moreno, a beautiful colonial town, to do some sightseeing.
Drive back to the Hacienda Sepulveda
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Hacienda Sepulveda

Day 9: Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Land of Tequila

Dates Note:
Additional trip dates are available on request - any time throughout the year with 2+ riders.

Other Info
Meeting: Lagos de Moreno
Airport: Leon-Guanajuato International Airport (BJX)
Transfer: Leon-Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) or Aguascalientes International Airport (AGU)

Climate:
                                        Lagos de Moreno area