Bienvenidos a Tequila! Upon arriving at Tequila, meet us at Hacienda El Carmen Hotel & Spa, your room will be ready for you to leave your luggage and chill before our preview session where we will tell you all about the next  days at Tequila challenge. After our welcome session, we’ll continue with a delicious dinner prepared by a prestigious caterer at the hotel to enjoy the exquisite taste of local cuisine.

🕡 ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ | ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ, ʀᴏᴀᴅʙᴏᴏᴋ, ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴋɪᴛ ᴅɪꜱᴛʀɪʙᴜᴛɪᴏɴ, ᴀɴᴅ ʙʀɪᴇꜰɪɴɢ.
🍽️ ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ | ʜᴀᴄɪᴇɴᴅᴀ ᴇʟ ᴄᴀʀᴍᴇɴ ʜᴏᴛᴇʟ & ꜱᴘᴀ

📍ʀᴏᴜᴛᴇ: Hacienda – Tala – Tequila – Magdalena – Etzatlán

We launch the Tequila Challenge, crafted for high-level cyclists ready to push their limits, circling the majestic Tequila Volcano—an inactive stratovolcano with a history spanning millions of years.

The route flows past sugarcane fields and the La Vega Dam (1952–1956), on the former Teuchitlán Lagoon, opposite the Guachimontones—iconic circular patios and stepped conical pyramids of the Teuchitlán Tradition (350 B.C.–350 A.D.).

We continue to the imposing Tala Sugar Mill (Mexico’s second largest), then Huaxtla and its historic Finca San Javier. The ride crosses El Arenal—gateway to tequila country—into Amatitán, home of global tequila houses like Sauza, framed by endless blue-agave fields.

Next is the town of Tequila (founded 1530); its industry and landscapes earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 2006. We roll on to Magdalena, known for opal mines and a lake drained in 1930, and finally to Etzatlán, famed today for the Guinness-record “Cielo Tejido” canopy.

We finish at the Hacienda, completing a circuit that blends history, culture, vast scenery, and a true elite-level cycling challenge.

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📍ʀᴏᴜᴛᴇ: Etzatlán – Plan de Barrancas – Ahuacatlán – Barranca del Oro – Amatlán de Cañas

Epic Route: Between Valleys and Mountains, Jalisco – Nayarit. Our journey begins in the Magical Town of Etzatlán, known for its deep-rooted traditions and for creating the world’s largest crochet blanket, a community masterpiece that symbolizes unity and pride in Jalisco. From here, we set out toward our first major challenge: the San Marcos climb, an ascent that opens the way to breathtaking mountain landscapes.

After conquering this first pass, we cross into the state of Nayarit to reach Amatlán de Cañas, a mountain town famous for its hot springs and the warmth of its people. From there, the road leads us to Barranca del Oro, a village with a mining legacy, passing through Estancia de los López and El Rosario, rural communities that preserve the authenticity of traditional life in the Sierra.

Next, we take on the second climb toward the iconic Santa Muerta Viewpoint, a dramatic overlook offering panoramic views of the canyon and the Nayarit valleys. We descend to Ahuacatlán, a town known for its agricultural traditions and its signature sweets like guava wafers, before retracing our way back to the viewpoint. From there, we descend again toward Barranca del Oro, and head once more toward Amatlán de Cañas.

Just 7 kilometers later, the challenge intensifies as we face the final ascent: our first “Hors Catégorie” climb of the Tequila Challenge. A true test of endurance and spirit, this climb embodies the essence of epic cycling. The descent carries us back to San Marcos, and finally to Etzatlán, closing a route that blends history, culture, and the raw beauty of Mexico’s highlands.

This is not just a ride—it’s an elite-level journey for cyclists who seek more than miles. Every climb, every town, every pedal stroke becomes part of a story that will stay with you long after the finish.

📍ʀᴏᴜᴛᴇ: Hostotipaquillo – La Yesca – Hostotipaquillo

Our third day begins in the Magical Town of Hostotipaquillo, descending toward the monumental La Yesca hydroelectric dam. Crossing its massive curtain also means crossing into the state of Nayarit, where we face the second Hors Catégorie climb of the challenge—recognized by WorldTour riders as one of the most beautiful and demanding ascents in the world.

Over the course of 25 km, we’ll climb more than 1,200 meters, winding through dramatic canyons and mountain slopes, with breathtaking views revealed curve after curve. At the summit, a long descent takes us into the town of La Yesca, where we’ll enjoy a well-deserved break before retracing our steps back toward Hostotipaquillo.

The return is just as unforgettable: a 25 km descent back to the dam’s curtain, an experience unlike any other. Along the way, we’ll tackle two additional mountain passes, testing both endurance and skill, before completing the loop back to Hostotipaquillo. The day ends with a well-earned meal and time to relax at the hotel, preparing body and mind for the upcoming rest day.

What makes this day unique

• Iconic HC climb: 25 km / +1,200 m in one of the most spectacular settings in Mexico.

• Unforgettable scenery: the La Yesca dam and its canyon views are truly world-class.

• Perfect flow: technical descent, two more climbs, and a grand finish in a Pueblo Mágico.

• B2B Cycling XP quality: premium safety, precise logistics, full support, and personalized attention.

Who it’s for: Cyclists looking for an epic challenge, combining sustained elevation, strategic effort management, and scenery that rewards every pedal stroke.

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Immerse yourself in a relaxing experience that will transport you to the peace and tranquility of a glamorous past. You’ll enjoy beautiful gardens, a charming library, and a stunning wine cellar, as well as a pool that invites you to soak up the pleasant morning sun.

The hacienda also offers the opportunity to pamper yourself with exquisite massages, balneotherapy treatments, exfoliations, wraps, or facials. (Please note that these services are not included in the tour.)

With every corner carefully designed for total relaxation, this is the perfect place to unwind and revitalize. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience a haven of serenity and luxury!

🍽️ ꜰᴏᴏᴅ | ʙʀᴇᴀᴋꜰᴀꜱᴛ | ʟᴜɴᴄʜ | ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ 🛌🏽 ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ | ʜᴀᴄɪᴇɴᴅᴀ ᴇʟ ᴄᴀʀᴍᴇɴ ʜᴏᴛᴇʟ & ꜱᴘᴀ 💆🏻‍♂️ ᴍᴀꜱꜱᴀɢᴇ: According to the scheduled time

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📍ʀᴏᴜᴛᴇ: Hacienda – Tala – Huaxtla – Amatitán – Mirador de Tequila – Estación ferrocarril

After a well-deserved day of rest and recovery, we continue the Tequila Challenge riding along the greenways, surrounded by vast sugarcane fields on the way to the impressive Tala Sugar Mill, the second largest in Mexico and a symbol of the region’s agricultural and industrial strength.

From there, we head toward Huaxtla, a community within the municipality of El Arenal, known for the historic Finca San Javier, now a boutique hotel with a rich past and beautiful gardens. The route continues to El Arenal, gateway to tequila country, before reaching Amatitán, home to major international tequila producers such as Sauza, where endless blue agave fields unfold across the landscape—an image that has become a national symbol.

The descent takes us to the Santa Rosa Dam, the starting point of our Hors Catégorie climb of the day, a challenging ascent that culminates at the breathtaking Tequila Viewpoint, where the sweeping vistas make every pedal stroke worthwhile. The return brings another test: a second climb, Category 2, before concluding the stage at the iconic Amatitán train station, a historic site filled with local pride.

This day embodies the essence of the Tequila Challenge: culture, unique landscapes, and epic climbs, all under the premium safety, precision, and quality that define B2B Cycling XP.

📍ʀᴏᴜᴛᴇ: Hacienda – Magdalena – Plan de Barrancas – Magdalena – Etzatlán

On the penultimate day of our Tequila Challenge, the route offers a welcome break: a stage that is relatively flat with little elevation gain, ideal for loosening the legs after the demanding mountain stages.

We start once again from the Hacienda, riding toward the Magical Town of Etzatlán, a place with pre-Hispanic roots that later became a mining hub during colonial times. Today, it is internationally recognized for the Cielo Tejido, a Guinness World Record–winning woven canopy that showcases the creativity and unity of its people. From here, we continue to Magdalena, a town marked by indigenous resistance during the Spanish conquest, later known for its opal mines and for the transformation of its landscape after the draining of its lake in 1930.

Our destination is Plan de Barrancas, a community whose history was shaped by the 1875 earthquake, which caused massive destruction and led to its establishment as a municipality in 1878. It stands today as a symbol of resilience and rebirth.

We then retrace our route, returning first to Magdalena and then to Etzatlán, closing a stage that—beyond the physical challenge—connects us with the history, culture, and strength of the communities that surround the majestic Tequila Volcano.

This day is the perfect prelude to the grand finale: a reminder that every kilometer adds not only to the sporting challenge but also to the cultural and human experience of cycling at its highest level.

📍ʀᴏᴜᴛᴇ: Etzatlán – Magdalena – Plan de Barrancas – Ahuacatlán – Barranca del Oro – Amatlán de cañas – San Marcos

The last day of our Tequila Challenge. We close with one of the region’s most iconic routes: the Circuito del Abuelo. We begin in the Magical Town of Etzatlán, at its historic train station—a witness to the mining and commercial boom of the past and now a cultural landmark—heading toward Magdalena, a town famous for its opal mines and for a landscape transformed after its lake was drained in the 20th century. We then continue to Plan de Barrancas, a community rebuilt after the 1875 earthquake, where we take on the first climb of the day.

The route then leads us to Ixtlán del Río (Nayarit), a historic border town and gateway to ancient Mesoamerican traditions—nearby lies the archaeological site of Los Toriles—before continuing on to Ahuacatlán, an agricultural town known for its craftsmanship and traditional sweets, where we face the second of three climbs on this stage. We descend into Barranca del Oro, a village with a proud mining past, and ride on toward Amatlán de Cañas, famed for its hot springs and mountain scenery. Along the way, we pass through El Rosario and Estancia de los López, rural towns that preserve the authentic hospitality of the Sierra region.

Crossing Amatlán de Cañas, we arrive at the day’s defining moment: the final Hors Catégorie climb—the Amatlán de Cañas Pass—which we crown right at the state border, before re-entering Jalisco. From there, the road takes us to San Marcos, a town with pre-Hispanic roots and formally founded in 1740, before facing the last 15 km toward the historic train station of Etzatlán.

The finish line. History in every town, three climbs, a border crossing, mining and agricultural heritage, culture, and mountain landscapes. An epic finale that honors everything accomplished: endurance, camaraderie, and the true spirit of Jalisco.

As our incredible cycling tour through the beautiful region of Tequila comes to an end, I find myself filled with a mix of emotions. It’s hard to say goodbye to such an amazing group of people who have shared this adventure with me.

We’ve pedaled through stunning landscapes, enjoyed the rich culture of Jalisco, and tasted the finest tequila together. Each moment has been a treasure, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and unforgettable memories.

Thank you for your enthusiasm, your kindness, and your spirit of adventure. You have made this journey truly special. While our paths may diverge, the bonds we’ve formed will remain in our hearts.

Let’s carry the joy of this experience with us as we continue our journeys. Until we meet again, ride safe and keep the spirit of adventure alive!

With warmest regards and heartfelt gratitude,

The B2B cycling xp team