Bungee Jumping in Rishikesh
83 meters. 5 seconds of freefall. One platform over a gorge that will make your legs shake before you even get to the edge. Here's everything you need to know about India's only licensed bungee jump.
By Amit · · 8+ visits to Rishikesh
About Jumping Heights — India's only licensed bungee
Jumping Heights is the only government-licensed bungee jumping operation in India. Full stop. There is no other legal bungee site in the country. It was founded in 2007 by David Allardice (a New Zealander who pioneered commercial bungee in Nepal) and Rahul Nigam, and the operation is modeled on the New Zealand/Australian adventure sports standard — the same certification, equipment sourcing, and safety protocols used in Queenstown.
The site is at Mohan Chatti village, about 15 km from Lakshman Jhula (30-40 minutes by road). The platform is a steel cantilever extending out from a cliff over a gorge carved by the Hiyal River — a tributary of the Ganga. The gorge is 83 meters deep, which makes this India's highest commercial bungee jump and one of the highest fixed-platform bungees in Asia.
The same site operates three activities: the bungee jump (straight freefall), the Giant Swing (freefall into a pendulum arc), and the Flying Fox (1 km zipline). All three use the same cliff-edge infrastructure. You can do one, two, or all three in a single visit.
The view from 83 meters — Jumping Heights operates India's only licensed commercial bungee
What you can do at Jumping Heights
Same site, same cliff, three very different ways to terrify yourself. Here's how they compare.
Bungee Jump
India's highest bungeeThe bucket-list crowd, adrenaline chasers, anyone who wants to say they jumped off a platform the height of a 25-story building
You walk to the edge of a cantilever platform jutting out over a rocky gorge with the Hiyal River 83 meters below. The jumpmaster counts 5-4-3-2-1 and you leap. Freefall lasts about 5-7 seconds — long enough for your brain to cycle through every life choice you've ever made. The cord catches, you bounce 3-4 times, then you're lowered to the riverbed where a ground crew unhooks you.
Giant Swing
Pendulum swing at 140 km/hPeople who find bungee too sudden, couples (you can do tandem), anyone who wants the height without the straight-down freefall
Same platform, same 83-meter height. But instead of bouncing on a bungee cord, you freefall about 40 meters and then swing in a massive pendulum arc across the gorge. The swing at the bottom hits roughly 140 km/h. Most people say the initial drop is scarier than bungee because you accelerate INTO the swing rather than bouncing back. Tandem available — you and a friend jump together.
Flying Fox
1 km zipline across the valleyFamilies, people who want the view without the terror, kids (lighter weight requirement), a warm-up before bungee
A 1-kilometer zipline strung across the valley from one mountain to another. You're harnessed in a prone (Superman) position and glide across at roughly 160 km/h. The scariest part is the launch — after that it's basically a scenic flight over the gorge. The least intense of the three, but the views are genuinely spectacular.
Combo Packages — Save ₹1,200 - ₹3,150
The valley at Mohan Chatti — 15 km from Rishikesh, where the bungee platform overlooks the gorge
What to expect — step by step
From the moment you arrive at Mohan Chatti to the moment you're back on solid ground with shaking legs and a USB drive of proof.
Arrive at the Jumping Heights office
Your slot time (e.g. 9:00 AM)The office and check-in counter are at Mohan Chatti village, 15 km from Lakshman Jhula. If you booked online, show your confirmation. Walk-ins register here. You'll sign a waiver that says you understand the risks (it's standard — read it anyway). They check your ID (Aadhaar or passport for foreigners).
The weigh-in
+10 minutesYou step on a scale and they write your weight in large marker on the back of your hand. This is not negotiable and not approximate — your weight determines the bungee cord tension. If you're under 40 kg or over 110 kg, you're turned away. They don't care about your 'morning weight' — the scale reading is final. Your weight category is written on the cord before your jump.
Shuttle to the platform
+15 minutesA Bolero drives you 2 km uphill to the jump site. The road is steep and unpaved — this is not the time to get carsick. The platform is a steel cantilever extending out from the cliff edge, engineered by David Allardice (the New Zealander who founded the operation). You can see the platform before you reach it. Your stomach will drop before you even get out of the car.
Harness and ankle straps
+10 minutesThe jump crew fits you with a full-body harness and a pair of ankle straps wrapped in towel padding. The ankle straps are what actually connect to the bungee cord — you jump feet-first and the cord catches your ankles. The crew triple-checks every connection. They are meticulous about this. The equipment is imported from New Zealand and Australia, inspected daily, and replaced on schedule. Every cord has a jump counter.
The walk to the edge
+5 minutesYou shuffle to the edge of the cantilever platform with your ankles strapped together (penguin walk — there is no dignified way to do this). The platform extends about 10 meters past the cliff face, so you're standing over nothing but air and the river 83 meters below. The jumpmaster stands next to you. They will NOT push you. This is your decision. They count down from 5.
THE JUMP
5 - 7 seconds of freefallYou jump. Or rather, you fall forward with your arms spread because that's what the jumpmaster tells you to do. The first 2 seconds are pure terror — your brain screams that you're dying. By second 3, you realize you're still conscious. By second 5, you might actually enjoy it. The cord engages, you decelerate hard (3-4 G), bounce back up about 30 meters, fall again, bounce shorter, and repeat 3-4 times. The whole freefall-to-still sequence takes about 60-90 seconds.
Lowered to the riverbed
+3 minutesOnce you stop bouncing, you're hanging upside down 20-30 meters above the river. A ground crew member below sends up a pulley hook on a rope. The jump crew lowers you — now right-side up — to the rocky riverbed below. A crew member unstraps your ankles and harness. You are now standing on solid ground. Your legs will be shaking. This is normal.
Shuttle back, collect video
+20 minutesA shuttle drives you back to the office. If you bought the video/photo package (₹1,200), they hand you a USB drive with your footage — two camera angles (platform and gorge-side) plus photos. The whole process from check-in to walking out takes about 2-2.5 hours including wait time.
Bungee jumping at Jumpin Heights — 83 metres over the gorge at Mohan Chatti, Rishikesh
How to book (and not waste your trip)
Jumping Heights operates year-round except during monsoon (mid-July to mid-September) and occasionally closes for maintenance in January. Slots run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Each slot accommodates one jumper at a time, so the daily capacity is limited.
1Online Booking (Recommended)
- Book at jumpingheights.com — this is the official site. Ignore third-party aggregators that mark up by ₹300-500.
- Book 2-3 days ahead — weekends (Fri-Sun) and long weekends sell out. Weekday slots are usually available same-day, but don't gamble if you're only in Rishikesh for 1-2 days.
- Pick the 9 AM slot — less wind, less crowd, better video lighting.
- Pay online — saves time at check-in. UPI and cards accepted.
2Walk-in
- Possible on weekdays — show up at the Mohan Chatti office by 9 AM and they'll fit you into available slots. Expect a 30-60 minute wait.
- Risky on weekends — you might drive 15 km to Mohan Chatti only to be told all slots are full. Not worth the gamble.
- Same price as online — no walk-in discount. Cash, UPI, and cards accepted at the counter.
- Hostel front desks — some hostels can call and reserve a slot for you. Ask at Zostel, Bunkyard, or GoStops.
Getting to Mohan Chatti from Rishikesh
| Method | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scooty/Bike rental | 25-35 min | ₹300-500/day | Best option. Road is scenic. Park at the office. |
| Auto-rickshaw | 30-40 min | ₹400-600 (one way) | Negotiate before getting in. Ask them to wait (₹200 extra). |
| Cab (Ola/local) | 25-35 min | ₹600-800 (one way) | Ola works but availability is patchy. Book local cab through hostel. |
| Shared auto | 40-50 min | ₹50-80 | Cheapest. Runs from Tapovan to Mohan Chatti. Infrequent. |
Safety, medical limits, and what happens if you freeze
Jumping Heights has completed over 150,000 jumps since 2007 with zero fatalities. The operation is inspected by the Uttarakhand Tourism Department and follows the standards set by the New Zealand and Australian adventure sports authorities. The steel platform was engineered to hold 10x the maximum operational load. Every bungee cord has a jump counter and is retired at a fraction of its rated lifespan.
That said — you are jumping off a platform 83 meters above a rocky gorge. This is an inherently risky activity, and the operator takes the medical restrictions seriously.
Hard limits — no exceptions
- -Weight: 40 - 110 kg — weighed on-site, written on your hand
- -Age: 12 - 60 years — ID verification required, no exceptions
- -No pregnancy — at any stage
- -No intoxication — alcohol or drugs, they will turn you away
Medical disqualifiers
- -Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- -Heart conditions or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- -Recent surgery (within 6 months)
- -Neck, back, or ankle injuries
- -Severe asthma or neurological conditions
What happens if you freeze on the platform
It happens. About 10-15% of people freeze on their first attempt. The jumpmaster is experienced with this — they won't mock you, rush you, or push you. They'll talk you through it, have you look at a focal point across the gorge instead of down, and count again. Most people jump on the second or third try.
If you genuinely can't do it (about 2-3% of people), you walk back off the platform. No refund. But you can reschedule to any date within 6 months at no extra charge. Many people who freeze come back the next day and jump successfully — the anticipation is always worse than the actual freefall.
What to wear and bring
WWear
- Comfortable fitted clothes — t-shirt and shorts or track pants. Nothing baggy or loose — it flaps violently during freefall and can obstruct the harness.
- Shoes are provided — Jumping Heights gives you dedicated ankle-high shoes for the jump. Wear whatever you want to get there, but you'll change into their shoes.
- No sarees, dupattas, or scarves — anything that can tangle with the cord or harness is removed before the jump.
BBring
- Photo ID — Aadhaar for Indians, passport for foreigners. No ID, no jump.
- ₹1,200 extra for video — the video package captures two angles: your face (platform camera) and the full fall (gorge camera). It is worth it. You will not remember the jump clearly — adrenaline does that.
- Cash + UPI backup — the office has a card machine but it's unreliable. Carry cash for the video package and any extras.
- Water bottle — the whole experience takes 2-2.5 hours and Mohan Chatti is warm in summer.
XLeave behind
Phone, camera, GoPro — absolutely no personal recording devices on the platform. They provide lockers at the office.
Jewelry — rings, chains, bracelets, earrings. All of it comes off before the harness goes on.
Glasses without strap — they'll fall off at 5G deceleration. Wear contacts or bring a sports strap.
Heavy breakfast — eat something light. A full stomach + freefall + hanging upside down = a bad combination. Toast and chai, not a paratha feast.
Advice from people who've actually jumped
Common questions, honest answers
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