Question # 1 these days is “Is Mexico and Copper Canyon safe?”
Yes, we go to Copper Canyon often (10 trips from Dec, 10 through May, 11) and in our experience, it is afe to travel there. There have been no incidents- zero- with tourists in the area.
Actually our guests comment on how secure they feel. One woman recently said. "I always felt safe".
Here is a summary of the situation with safety in Mexcio- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tCVYdnU1EmLiiwZQG2rcuksdY6ZQkZ9rErpDlflHleQ/edit?hl=en_US#- including the European perspective from the Economist magazine. It is interesting that many of our travelers to the Sierras now are European. Our press is jaded and is having a hayday with sensationalizing what happens there.
Also here is a statement on safety in Copper Canyon from Dave Hensleigh (http://youtu.be/YJfAriKq0ug).
We welcome you to be a part of one of our excursions!