Master the Terrain

Certify Your Passion with International Standards

At Chileríos we train outdoor leaders. Get official certifications in rescue, first aid, and professional guiding to take your career to the next level.

Backed by international and national standards

Our Courses

Rafting Guide

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Swiftwater Rescue

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First Aid (WAFA)

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Leave No Trace (LNT)

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Our Story

Training the leaders of Adventure Tourism

At ChileRíos, we don't just teach techniques; we train professionals. We understand that in nature, safety is not optional; it is the foundation of every expedition. That is why we are dedicated to providing real tools and world-class certifications for those who make the outdoor environment their way of life.

Global Experience

Over 15 years operating and training guides internationally.

Highest Standards

Operating under the strict auditing of IRF, Rescue 3, and NOLS.

100% Practical Methodology

You learn by doing on the river, under controlled pressure.

ChileRíos instructors in a rafting boat

25

Years of
Experience

Paulo Cartes Ortiz - Director of ChileRíos
Technical Direction

Paulo Cartes Ortiz
Founder & Head Instructor

Excellence and safety on the river are not improvised. They are forged in the field, backed by decades of experience and certifications under the highest global standards in the industry.

Rafting Guide Instructor (IRF)
Swiftwater Rescue Instructor (IRIA)
WAFA/WFR Instructor (ECSI)
Leave No Trace Master Educator (LNT)
International Rafting Guide
Our Philosophy

Forging leaders and defending our rivers

ChileRíos: Outdoor Training & Education is a sustainable project born from a love for nature and the active defense of our watersheds. We don't just teach techniques; we provide outdoor education.

By providing you with knowledge backed by international organizations, we aim for you to also make your life a sustainable project and become a steward of natural environments. It is a flow of knowledge that, like the water cycle, goes far beyond what you imagine.

There is more in you than you think.

— Kurt Hahn

Word on the River Our students

Rescue

"Taking the Rescue course with Chileríos changed my perspective on safety. Today I guide with much more confidence in Class IV rapids."

Martín V.
Rafting Guide
WAFA

"WAFA is intense and 100% practical. The instructors put you in real scenarios that prepare you for any emergency in the mountains."

Andrea C.
Expedition Leader
LNT

"Understanding the 7 principles of Leave No Trace raised our agency's standard. Excellent instruction and very clear practical exercises."

Sebastián R.
Tour Operator
Rafting Guide

"The IRF certification is tough but fair. They push you to the limit in ropework and swimming. I came out very prepared."

Camila S.
Kayaker
Rescue

"Taking the Rescue course with Chileríos changed my perspective on safety. Today I guide with much more confidence in Class IV rapids."

Martín V.
Rafting Guide
WAFA

"WAFA is intense and 100% practical. The instructors put you in real scenarios that prepare you for any emergency in the mountains."

Andrea C.
Expedition Leader
LNT

"Understanding the 7 principles of Leave No Trace raised our agency's standard. Excellent instruction and very clear practical exercises."

Sebastián R.
Tour Operator
Rafting Guide

"The IRF certification is tough but fair. They push you to the limit in ropework and swimming. I came out very prepared."

Camila S.
Kayaker
Your Passport to the World

Certifying international guides since 2012

Our programs go beyond technique; we provide you with the legal and practical tools to work across the globe. Thanks to our high standards, hundreds of our alumni are now operating professionally in the most competitive adventure tourism destinations on the planet.

Action at the river

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the course. For WAFA and Leave No Trace, you do not need previous experience. However, for Swiftwater Rescue and Rafting Guide, an adequate level of physical fitness and basic swimming and water comfort skills are recommended.

Yes! Our Rescue International and International Rafting Federation (IRF) certifications are globally recognized standards. You will be able to use them to work in North America, Europe, Oceania, and throughout Latin America.

Most technical certifications (such as WAFA and Swiftwater Rescue) are valid for 2 to 3 years. It is an industry standard to require recertification to ensure that professionals keep their rescue and first aid skills up to date.