Tour Altos y Guapos de Jalisco -- Tours Los Altos de Jalisco

8+

Years

About Us

Your gateway to the secrets of Los Altos de Jalisco

We are a tourism company specialized in the Ruta Los Altos del Tequila -- a unique region where European roots, charro tradition, Catholic faith, ranchera music and the world's finest tequilas converge.

Under generous fields and skilled hands, world-class tequilas are born with smooth, floral notes. Los Altos de Jalisco concentrates 70% of globally exported tequila. Arandas and Tepatitlán are global production epicenters.

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Private Distilleries

Exclusive access to Siete Leguas, El Centinela, Tapatio and more in Arandas.

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Certified Guides

Local experts in history, culture, gastronomy and tequila production.

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Comfortable Transport

Air-conditioned van with WiFi throughout the route.

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Tastings Included

100% agave tequila, birria, carnitas and the best highland gastronomy.

Historical Context

History of Los Altos
de Jalisco

A region that cannot be understood without its roots: European, Cristero, charro and tequila. Everything converges in Los Altos.

1521

The Conquest and first settlers

After the Spanish conquest, the region was repopulated with Castilian, Portuguese, Italian and Flemish militiamen. Some were believed to be Sephardic Jews fleeing the Inquisition. This unique ethnic mix explains the European phenotype--light eyes, tall stature--that distinguishes the highland people to this day.

1600s

Repopulation and ranching

Los Altos consolidates as a ranching region. Salamantine horsemen brought by the Spanish begin developing equestrian practices that will give rise to Mexican charrería. Tepatitlán and Arandas become cultural pillars of this tradition.

1600

First tequila distillery

Pedro Sánchez de Tagle founds the first industrial distillery in the region. The Spanish had introduced stills and European distillation techniques, transforming indigenous pulque into a more potent spirit: "vino de mezcal de tequila".

1758-1795

The birth of modern tequila

José Antonio de Cuervo y Valdés receives land from King Ferdinand VI to plant agave. In 1795 he is granted the first official license to produce and market what we know today as tequila. Los Altos, with its red soil and altitude of 2,100 masl, produces agave with higher sugar concentration and unique floral notes.

1860s

French Intervention

During the French Intervention, Gallic soldiers arrive in the region. When the conflict ends, many stay. Later genetic studies would confirm Portuguese, Jewish and French markers in the highland population, reinforcing the genetic and cultural uniqueness of Los Altos.

1920s-1950s

The Cristero War

Between 1926 and 1929, Los Altos becomes the epicenter of the Cristero War--the conflict between the federal government and Catholics defending religious freedom. Martyred saints like Toribio Romo González and Anacleto González Flores were born in this region. Their faith and sacrifice forever marked the spiritual character of the highlands.

1950s

Artists who gave us identity

Vicente Fernández, whose family has roots in Tepatitlán, and Pedro Infante, with ties in Arandas, popularize ranchera music worldwide. Los Altos becomes the cradle of a musical genre that defines Mexican identity across the globe.

1974

Denomination of Origin for Tequila

Tequila obtains its Denomination of Origin (DO), protecting its exclusive production to specific zones in five states. Jalisco, with its 125 municipalities, leads. Los Altos--led by Arandas--consolidates as the world largest producer: concentrating 70% of exported tequila, with a historic 600 million liter production projected for 2025.

Today

A living region

San Juan de los Lagos is the second most visited pilgrimage site in Mexico, after the Guadalupe Basilica. Charrería lives on in lienzos charros and escaramuzas. Los Altos tequilas--smooth, floral, fruity--conquer palates in 153 countries. And the highland people, with their incomparable hospitality, remain the heart of it all.

Los Altos Tequila

Why is highland tequila
the finest in the world?

Los Altos vs. Tequila Valley

Feature	Los Altos	Los Valles
Altitude	~2,100 msnm	Lower altitude
Soil	Red soil (Fe, Mg, Cu)	Volcanic
Flavor profile	Sweet, floral, fruity	Earthy, herbal, robust
Production 2025	~70% of global total	Leading historic brands

Only drinks produced with Agave Tequilana Weber Blue Variety in D.O. zones can be called "tequila". Jalisco concentrates 76.6% of total production, with Los Altos as the main engine.

The 7 Steps of Tequila

1

Harvest

The jimador cuts mature agave (7-10 years of growth)

2

Cooking

Piñas are baked to convert carbohydrates into sugars

3

Milling

Mosto (sweet agave juice) is extracted

4

Fermentation

Mosto ferments with natural yeast 48-72 hours

5

Distillation

Double distillation to purify and concentrate alcohol

6

Aging

In American oak barrels for reposado or añejo (optional)

7

Bottling

With CRT seal and Denomination of Origin for the world

Our Tours

Choose your Los Altos experience

Tours designed to experience Los Altos in an authentic and unforgettable way.

🔍 Ver tour

⏱ 13h 👥 8-20 pax

Cantineando Ando

The route of the most authentic and legendary cantinas of Los Altos de Jalisco. Artisan tequila, cowboy sto...

From

$1,850 MXN

🔍 Ver tour

🏔

⏱ 13h 👥 8-22 pax

Puebleando Ando

A tour through the most beautiful magical and colonial towns of Los Altos. Baroque architecture, typical ma...

From

$1,600 MXN

🔍 Ver tour

🏔

⏱ 12h 👥 6-25 pax

Ruta de los Cristeros

Following in the footsteps of the Cristero martyrs. Visit the holiest churches and sanctuaries of Los Altos...

From

$1,500 MXN

🔍 Ver tour

🏔

⏱ 13h 👥 8-18 pax

Las Cokitas de Bramidos

The ultimate Los Altos experience. Siete Leguas distillery, cuisine at Antaño and the legendary Bramidos ca...

From

$2,200 MXN

Sample Itinerary

Las Cokitas de Bramidos
San José

A full day of legendary cantinas, artisan tequila and the most authentic highland hospitality. Departure and arrival from Hotel RIU Plaza, Guadalajara.

Time Place Activity Duration

07:30 Hotel RIU Plaza Welcome coffee and bread -- we start with energy 30 min

08:30 Departure to Atotonilco Comfortable van transfer with local guide 1h 45min

10:30 Siete Leguas Exclusive guided tour at artisan distillery 2h

12:30 Church & Downtown Visit to historic center and colonial temple 1h

13:30 Antaño Regional lunch with relaxation -- birria, carnitas, tequila 2h

15:30 Bar Bramidos -- San José The ultimate experience: legendary highland cantina 3h

18:15 Mirador Panoramic sunset walk with views of Los Altos 45 min

19:00 Return Transfer back to Hotel RIU Plaza, Guadalajara 2h

21:00 End of tour Arrival with memories for a lifetime! --

📍 Departure & Arrival: Hotel RIU Plaza Guadalajara · ⏱ Total duration: ~13.5 hours · 🚐 Transport included

🍻 Bar Bramidos -- San José, Jalisco

The most iconic cantina in Los Altos de Jalisco

Our Routes

4 unique experiences
in Los Altos

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Cantinas Tourist Route

Cantineando Ando

Explore the most emblematic and authentic cantinas of Los Altos. Artisan tequila, cowboy stories and highland hospitality at its finest.

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Villages Route

Puebleando Ando

A tour through the magical and colonial towns of Los Altos: baroque architecture, typical markets, highland gastronomy and living culture.

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Churches Route

Ruta de los Cristeros

Following in the footsteps of the Cristero martyrs. Visit the most important churches and sanctuaries, including San Juan de los Lagos and historic regional temples.

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Bramidos Route

Las Cokitas de Bramidos

The ultimate experience. Siete Leguas distillery, highland cuisine at Antaño, and the legendary Bramidos cantina in San José. A complete and unforgettable day.

Gallery

Experience Los Altos through images

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Reviews

What our travelers say

★★★★★

“The best tour I have ever taken. The landscapes are breathtaking and the tequila amazing!”

M

María González

CDMX, México

✅

★★★★★

“An unforgettable experience. Our guide was outstanding and the tequila tastings world-class.”

J

James Wilson

Texas, USA

✅

★★★★★

“The organization was perfect and each estate had its own magic.”

V

Valentina Ruiz

Bogotá, Colombia

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before booking your tour.

All our tours depart from and return to Hotel RIU Plaza Guadalajara (Av. López Mateos Sur). If your hotel is different, contact us to arrange a meeting point.

All tours include: welcome breakfast, air-conditioned van with WiFi, certified local guide, full regional meal, artisan tequila tastings and traveler insurance.

The minimum is 8 people per tour. If you are a smaller group or want an exclusive private tour, contact us for a quote.

Yes. When booking you can indicate if you need an English-speaking guide (Spanish/English). Translation service is available at no additional cost subject to availability.

Our tours last approximately 12 to 13.5 hours. Departure is at 7:30am and return is between 9:00pm and 10:00pm from Hotel RIU Plaza Guadalajara.

Cantineando Ando: cantinas and artisan tequila route. Puebleando Ando: colonial towns and highland culture. Ruta de los Cristeros: historic churches and sanctuaries. Las Cokitas de Bramidos: Siete Leguas distillery + gastronomy + Bramidos cantina.

Yes, we work with travel agencies at special rates. The agency price includes a discount over the public rate. Contact us for more information about our agency program.

Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes for the tours. In winter (November-March) a jacket or sweater is recommended. In summer bring sunscreen and light clothing. Formal attire is not required.

Questions or requests?

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Experience Los Altos de Jalisco like never before

Your gateway to the secrets of Los Altos de Jalisco

History of Los Altos
de Jalisco